Apartment Tours, Experiences

Life and Death at the Tenement

Please note, the Life and Death at the Tenement tour will not be available in January and will resume a regular schedule in February.  

The threat of contagious disease has often touched Orchard Street. Visit two buildings to explore personal stories of three health emergencies: tuberculosis in the 1860s, the 1918 influenza pandemic, and HIV/AIDS in the 1980s. Understand the impact each disease had on the community and on individual families. Discuss the responses from the medical profession, government agencies, and the media — from generating hysteria to providing help. This tour is part of the Wellcome Trust’s Contagious Cities project  www.wellcome.ac.uk/contagiouscities. Tickets for Life and Death at the Tenement are $28 for adults, $23 for students & seniors.

Life and Death at the Tenement is available on the first and third Thursday evening of every month. Please select a Thursday date using the availability search on this page.

Former 97 Orchard resident Jacob Burinescu and his acting troupe circa 1915
Former resident of 97 Orchard Street Jacob Burinescu's business card
Recreated 1870s lager beer saloon inside 97 Orchard Street
Apartment Tours, Experiences

Life and Death at the Tenement

Please note, the Life and Death at the Tenement tour will not be available in January and will resume a regular schedule in February.  

The threat of contagious disease has often touched Orchard Street. Visit two buildings to explore personal stories of three health emergencies: tuberculosis in the 1860s, the 1918 influenza pandemic, and HIV/AIDS in the 1980s. Understand the impact each disease had on the community and on individual families. Discuss the responses from the medical profession, government agencies, and the media — from generating hysteria to providing help. This tour is part of the Wellcome Trust’s Contagious Cities project  www.wellcome.ac.uk/contagiouscities. Tickets for Life and Death at the Tenement are $28 for adults, $23 for students & seniors.

Life and Death at the Tenement is available on the first and third Thursday evening of every month. Please select a Thursday date using the availability search on this page.

Tour type
Apartment Tours, Experiences
Tour Location
97 Orchard Street, 1st & 3rd Floors, 162 Steps
Tour Duration
1.5 Hours
Recommended ages
Ages 6 + Permitted
Not recommended for visitors with mobility issues

Tickets are available at the Visitor Center on a first-come, first-serve basis.

We’re sorry, but it looks like there aren’t any tours scheduled for your selected date. Please note our daily tour schedules are posted online 6 weeks in advance.

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Accessibility Information

  • This tour visits four different floors, climbing multiple flights of stairs, in a series of small, low lit apartments. See building diagram.
  • This tour uses an outdoor stairwell with an open stair.
  • Limited seating will be available during this tour.
  • Assistive listening devices are available if requested.

 

For more information about accessibility at the Museum please visit the Accessibility at the Museum section.