The Tenement Museum, Lower East Side on Orchard Street.
My obsession with ancestry.com has been renewed during our recent visit to the New York Tenement Museum. This salvaged treasure offers a glimpse into the lives of a sampling of early immigrant families, German, Irish, Russian/Jewish and Italian. From 1863 through the Great Depression, this small Lower East Side building housed thousands of residents passing through its 22 apartments.
Originally, there were gas lights, no plumbing, few windows and shared outhouses. Innovations and local laws would eventually result in windows between rooms (to help prevent TB), running water, electricity and a shared toilet on each floor!
Our informative, charming guide did a fantastic job bringing history to life, as we toured two floors and visited apartments of two Jewish immigrant families. Known as the “Sweatshop Workers” tour, these families worked in the garment industry, turning their tiny 3-room (just over 400’) homes into workshops to piece together clothing sold in department stores and catalogues.
You see the state of disrepair in which the building was found, the stages of décor throughout the decades and, finally, the re-creation of how the apartments looked during the timeframe of the tour.
Make no mistake, these are real families that are profiled, and some of their artifacts and photos are also displayed.
There are lots of tour options at the Tenement Museum, including stories about German, Italian and Irish families, as well as the shops and neighborhood itself. On certain days they feature actors, lectures and special programs about restoration, etc.
If you had relatives pass through New York when they came to the US, this museum is extra-special. But whether your family arrived on the Mayflower, or on a 777 last month, this museum offers a must-see slice of American history.
As for me, I’ve now successfully located address for all family that immigrated through New York and have a few new stories of my own.
Tips: You do need to be able to walk up stairs and you do stand during the tour, but folding chairs are available for anyone needing to sit. Be forewarned, since there is no A/C, it would be best to visit on cooler days. Adult Tickets are $25, $20 for Seniors & Students. Not all tours are appropriate for young children, so check out the website for special children’s programming. 103 Orchard Street http://www.tenement.org
New York, New York, even when it’s freezing, I love it.
What is she trying to tell us?
ACCOMPLICE New York, an Immersive Theatrical Experience
If you love scavenger hunts, laughing, surprises, fun, new experiences and meeting people this is your kind of adventure. Oh yeah, you also have to like to walk!
Our group of three braved a cold and cloudy day, soon forgot the weather and just had fun. We made seven new friends, many of whom were local or from the area (I was the exception in our group).
You just see a city differently when you do something like this and we all thoroughly enjoyed the perspective. I won’t give away the secrets here, but we got to locations by solving puzzles, breaking codes and interpreting clues. It was campy and the actors were great (a couple of us just might be in love with Joseph . . .”do svidaniya”)!
For those who are not from NYC, and are not sure how they define “downtown”, think Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, Little Italy, etc. Very historic and great neighborhoods to explore.
We hear they are starting one just for kids in Central Park.
Put on your walking shoes and enjoy.
Need to Know: They have 2 NYC events, one in the Village (2 hrs) and one Downtown (3 hrs). We did the downtown version and I would allow a bit more than 3 hrs and if you do have time, there is a good spot to relax afterwards and watch other groups finish. For details and reservations visit: www.AccompliceTheShow.com
Could this be a clue?
Main Concourse of the Grand Central Terminal.
Who does a Sunday morning tour? Anyone wanting to see Grand Central Terminal (Station). And it’s no wonder, you would never be able to get around so easily during a normal business day.
We learned about this great tour from some good friends and are so glad we hauled ourselves out of bed and out into the freezing weather – it was fantastic.
And fortunately for us, most of the tour was indoors.
Our tour guide, John, was excellent as he wove together the history of New York City. He brought just the right balance of a historian’s knowledge and perspective, combined with a visitor’s sense of discovery and an insider’s wisdom. He did a superb job of keeping it colorful and entertaining as he conveyed a tremendous amount of information to a wide assortment of ages, tourists and even a few locals. My group of three included one local and one who used to live in NYC and we all agreed, we learned so much (and the info we did know, our guide was spot-on).
We explored the terminal from all angles, as well as the Art Deco showpiece lobby of the Chrysler building. Our visit made it abundantly clear how often we take what’s around us for granted. We never knew the value of the opal clock in the main hall, the acoustical tricks near the Oyster Bar, the design intentions of the intuitive architecture, it was a Nazi’s target in WW2, or that the clocks inside are set a bit ahead to help people catch their trains on time . . . and so much more.
Inside Info: I know these tours are billed as “free” but I do hope you tip well, because they deserve it; guides split any tips with their office. This company has lots of creative excursions and we will try another walking tour on our next visit to the city. Explore options and book on-line: http://www.freetoursbyfoot.com/
One of the more than 2,000 saved pieces of the World Trade Center, stands as a sentinel next to museum windows overlooking the memorial site.
This is a fitting, somber, respectful museum, strikingly curated and staged, to honor those who lost their lives during the 9/11 attacks. A must-see for every American, exhibits show not only artifacts from the devastating tragedy, but beautifully honor details about the lives of those who died. The museum includes information about the Pentagon attack and Pennsylvania crash as well as a haunting, detailed timeline and background of the terrorists’ planning. Video and audio clips greatly enhance the experience. Much of the story is told through family members of those who were killed as well as the men and women who survived and responded to the sites.
It’s those personal stories that really make your heart break . . .
Essentials: Guided tours are available for an additional charge and there is a self-guided tour with a smartphone app narrated by Robert De Niro. Admission is $24, $18 for seniors, and free on Tuesdays after 5PM (on a first-come, first-served basis, available after 4PM). If you are buying tickets, the on-line process will save you time. Tickets are sold with entry at 30-minute intervals, beginning at 9AM. Allow 2-4 hours. We entered at 9:30AM and by the time we left, at midday, it was getting very crowded. Visitors need to review the rules of decorum, as is befitting. It’s quiet, no sitting on the floor, no flash photography and in many sections, no photography at all.
Known as “the last piece standing”, bearing “signatures” of the many rescue, recovery and clean-up teams working the aftermath of the tragedy.
One of the twin reflecting pools inscribed with names of those lost at the World Trade Center on 9/11; part of the Memorial located outside the museum.
