Please Note: Due to a mechanical malfunction, our elevator is out of service until further notice. All building tours at this time will require the use of stairs. We apologize for the inconvenience. If you need assistance, please email [email protected]

Behind the Wallpaper

We hope you’ll enjoy this exclusive section of the website where we “peel back the layers of wallpaper” to uncover in-depth, behind the scenes articles previously available only our Museum members.

Our articles are written by our education and curatorial teams, and provide additional information, insights, and stories that don’t make it into our regular scheduled tours. You’ll get a chance to hear directly from our staff about the people, objects, and traditions that shaped the fabric of everyday life in New York City tenements. We’ll also take a closer look at the immigrant experience and the blending of cultures that often happened for newcomers to the US

Learn about how Bridget Moore found comfort during despair in her transition from Irish to American life.

Read the story of Bob Humber, whose roots as an activist in New York City stretch back nearly 50 years.

Read Barney Cohen's fascinating and complicated story of highs and lows that were set in motion when he moved into 97 Orchard Street.

How two former 97 Orchard Street residents found love during a summer escape to a Catskills resort.

Find out how and why 97 Orchard Street became the site for the Tenement Museum.

Black and white photo of Ms. Wong and Yat Ping. Ms. Wong wears skirt suit and pearls, and Yat Ping wears a collared dress

Follow Mrs. Wong's journey into the Chinatown garment industry and get a inside look at where fashion came from.

See how to the ordinary becomes the extraordinary in this in depth look at a tenement apartment door.

Get a closer look at the partially rusted metal numbers that once adorned 97 Orchard Street.

Take a closer look at a tenement apartment mezuzah and why it may have remained affixed for so long.

Follow Fanny’s journey from new immigrant, to wife and mother, to respected and fearless “Janitress” of 97 Orchard Street.

In March we featured former 97 Orchard Street resident, Fanny Rogarshevsky's tool box.

Follow the story of former 97 Orchard Street resident, Rosaria Baldizzi.

Explore how military service was important in shaping the German-American identity through the story of John Schneider.

Take a closer look at a personal grooming set given to former 97 Orchard Street resident, Morris Rosenthal by his wife Evelyn.

In May we featured this early 20th century can of Durkee Curry Powder, discovered in 97 Orchard in 2008.