The Lower East Side Tenement Museum is a national historic site dedicated to the lives of immigrants who lived in New York City during the 19th and 20th centuries. In these historic buildings, approximately 15,000 people from over 20 countries lived between 1863 and 2011. The museum aims to promote tolerance and a deeper understanding of the immigrant experience through exhibitions and programs.
The building at 97 Orchard Street was constructed in 1863 by Prussian immigrant Lukas Glockner. Over time, it was modified in accordance with housing regulations: water was installed, gas, electricity, and toilets were added on each floor. However, in 1935, rather than upgrading further, the owner evicted all tenants and closed the upper floors. In 1988, the museum purchased the building, which has since served as a kind of "time capsule" demonstrating the living conditions of past eras.
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum was founded by Ruth Abram and Anita Jacobson in 1988. The house was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1994, and later received the status of a National Historic Site. Over the years, the museum has received numerous grants for building preservation and even awards for achievements in urban planning.
The Lower East Side Tenement Museum offers guided tours of restored apartments and shops that recreate the daily life of immigrants from various epochs. In 2017, the "Under One Roof" exhibition opened, highlighting the stories of refugee families from the Holocaust, Puerto Rican, and Chinese immigrants. In 2021, the "Reclaiming Black Spaces" tour was added, narrating the lives of African Americans on the Lower East Side.
Buildings and Housing Reforms
Architectural design of the museum buildings reflects the requirements of housing reforms in New York during the 19th and early 20th centuries, which established basic standards for convenience, ventilation, and fire safety in residential spaces.
The museum has appeared multiple times in films and television shows such as "Crossing Delancey," "The Definition of Insanity," "SNL," and "Dash & Lily," gaining popularity among a broad audience.
Current Information:
Address: 103 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, United States
Contacts: +1 (877)-975-3786
Operating Hours:
Sun-Thu 10:00-17:30 (10:00 AM - 05:30 PM)
Fri-Sat 10:00-18:00 (10:00 AM - 06:00 PM)
