Lower East Side Tenement Museum
The untouched rooms of the Tenement Museum tell an interesting story about the lives and living conditions of 1000s of NYC immigrants
This museum has quite an interesting story to tell. What makes it unique is the way the untouched rooms seem to speak to today's visitors from the immigrant families that lived there many years ago telling tales about their lives and the living and working conditions they had to face every day.
The building housed approximately 7,000 people from over 20 different nations world wide between 1863-1935. It had 22 apartments about 325 square feet each and a staircase on the outside of the building that lead down to a saloon in the basement.
The Tenement Museums co-founders, Ruth Abram and Anita Jacobson, were friends with similar interests in what they wanted to experience when visiting a museum. They were more interested in the social aspect of society and what one can learn from the experiences and traditions brought over from the immigrants that first came to New York City. Finding out how as a society we are affected today and what we can learn from one another in the future by understanding, tolerating and embracing differences from many backgrounds without fear and prejudice.
They set out to look for a old building that was left untouched to house their museum in. Shortly, they discovered this was an almost impossible task as in 1934 a law was put in place in New York City that all public buildings had to pass updates such as fireproofing them. This was very expensive to the landlords. Either they put the money into the renovations and rented the building out to make up for the loss of the updates or they closed them up for good. Those that updated them changed the character of the building, making it very hard to find one that wasn't updated and changed. It was very unusual that the landlord of this apartment building decided to evict his tenants and board up the windows and close off the apartments only keeping the storefront open for business.
It was by pure accident that the two woman came across this unique building. After two years of searching for the right building to house their museum, they nearly gave up and decided to tell about the lives of the immigrants on the Lower East Side by giving walking tours and plays needing only a storefront. Anita Jacobson spotted the storefront at 97 Orchard Street and knocked on the door. The young woman that answered it told Anita that her family had owned the 5 storey brick building since 1905 and it really had minimal changes.
The storefront had nothing in it. However when asking to use the washroom and being directed down the hall, Anita soon realized what a gem she had discovered. She knew enough about the decor of old buildings from that era as she had studied them while looking for old unique structures to house their museum. Realizing she had stumbled on something great she called Ruth right away and told her they had to purchase this building. It took Ruth Abram and Anita Jacobson 5 years to convince the owner to sell the place to them. In 1988 the Tenement Museum was founded. On April 19th 1994 it was designated a National Historic Landmark.
There are educational tours to choose from where you can learn so much about the residence and get a real inside look at the way the immigrants to America lived, worked and survived in the early days of old. Over 200,000 people enjoy these tours every year.
Most tours are about an hour and a half to two hours long. Reservations are recommended for all tours.
Note: If you are taking a child along it is best to phone and find out if the tour you are interested in is suitable for his or her age.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: YesLower East Side Tenement Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Address: 103 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002, USA
Phone: (877) 975-3786
Official Website: Lower East Side Tenement Museum
Lower East Side Tenement Museum Reviews
Rated out of 5
This is an amazing resource for anyone interested in the history of immigration and NYC. The tour takes you thru an actual Tenement building which has not been modified since the 1930s and shows what life was like in the early 1900s. There are a variety of tours that focus on different immigrant groups and time periods. Well worth a visit and good for school aged kids to see as well. Lots of walking up and down narrow stairs and standing so not handicap accessible unfortunately.
I G (*J*) - a month ago
Tenement Museum – 100 Years Apart Tour
Did the 100 Years Apart tour today and honestly, I did not expect to like it this much 🥹
The tour is short, but very immersive. It is not flashy or like an attraction, but once you are inside the space, you get pulled in. If you are curious about things that have been around for a long time and the stories behind them, this place really works ⏳
What I liked most was how quiet it felt. NYC can be overwhelming, but here felt calm. No rushing, no noise, just walking through and sitting with the stories. That part was really nice 🧠✨
I am not a history nerd. I am just someone who is curious about people and the time they lived in. Seeing how immigrants, especially Asians, came to New York and tried to survive felt very familiar to me. I am not Chinese, but it reminded me a lot of what it feels like to come to the US and figure things out on your own. That connection stayed with me 🥺
Overall, it felt thoughtful and human without trying too hard. I would definitely come back next time to try another tour 👀
Hyunjae Jeon (全 賢宰) - 2 months ago
A must visit place in NYC. Our tour guide Clay was exceptional. The museum itself is so well done, mixing restored and preserved parts of the old buildings. The stories really bring outbreaks history of the times.
Mark Lavoie - 2 months ago
We took a tour group of 50 people from Michigan to this museum. They split us up into groups and I took the 1869 tour which went to the top of the Tenement Museum. I felt that the interpretation was first rate and our guide was very knowledgeable. I would highly recommend this museum as a way get a sense of how immigrants lived and survived in the late 19th century. The only suggestion I would make for the organization is to stock some t-shirts in their gifts store. They are very book heavy in their wares. Overall however this is an outstanding place to visit.
Larry Wagenaar - 6 months ago
Directions
| Subway Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| B or D | Grand Street | 6 Minutes |
| F | Delancey Street | 3 Minutes |
| J, M or Z | Essex Street | 4 Minutes |
How to get to Lower East Side Tenement Museum by Subway
From Grand Street on the B or D line exit onto Grand and Chrystie and go east on Grand Street for four blocks, then go left (north) on Orchard Street two blocks to the Museum Shop at 103 Orchard Street.
From Delancey Street on the F line or from Essex Street on the J, M or Z line, exit and walk west (away from the bridge) on Delancy Street, then left (south) on Orchard to the Museum Shop.
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Photo Gallery
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Storefront Entrance to the Tenement Museum cc licensed photo by Shelley Panzarella -
Cooking utensils inside the Tenement Museum cc licensed photo by Colin Poellot -
Photo Credit: edenpictures - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: JHTaylor - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Newell Reinvention - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: PunkToad - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: PunkToad - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: PunkToad - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: PunkToad - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: PunkToad - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: PunkToad - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: PunkToad - cc license via Flickr
