The Tenement Encyclopedia was conceived as a reference work focusing on issues relevant to the interpreted apartments in the Museum's landmarked tenement building, located at 97 Orchard Street.

Because of its focus on issues significant to the immigrant families whose homes are recreated at 97 Orchard Street, this work is not intended to be comprehensive. It therefore does not address all of the historical issues relevant to the neighborhood, the building, and or every one of the estimated 7,000 former residents, shopkeepers, and landlords of 97 Orchard Street.

The Encyclopedia is organized around subject entries arranged in alphabetical order. Many of the entries feature footnote citations. Others note the main source for information at the end of each entry. Likewise, each subject is supplemented with a list of other relevant entries.