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Tenement Museum

Field review by the editors.

New York, New York

The romance of low-rent survival in a pestilence-infested 19th century New York City tenement is brought to life in the Tenement Museum. It's a real tenement, shuttered for 50 years, slowly being restored and reopened apartment-by-apartment. Each tells the story of a different immigrant family that actually lived in it, stressing a rainbow of ethnicities and range of time periods. Kind of like a modern-day reality show, except all the contestants are dead.

The museum does a good job of recreating the tenement's oppressive physical space and lack of amenities, although it would help recapture the moment if you can tour on a sweltering summer day and imagine the smell of overflowing cesspools wafting through the windows.

Tenement Museum

Address:
97 Orchard St., New York, NY
Directions:
Lower East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, on Orchard St. between Broome and Delancey Sts.
Hours:
Daily, times vary. (Call to verify) Local health policies may affect hours and access.
Phone:
212-431-0233
Admission:
Adults $25.
Save to My Sights

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