As it Was: A Virtual Tour of the Lower East Side

Discover the history of the Lower East Side through the eyes of the Museum at Eldridge Street and the Seward Park Library.

The history of the Lower East Side over the last century is one of constant change and transformation. From 1880 to the present, the Lower East Side saw unparalleled growth, waves of immigrants flooding its streets, and the rise of the first public parks and libraries in the area. This virtual tour of the Lower East Side will take you through multiple phases of the neighborhood’s history and the ways its residents worshiped, played, studied, and fought for their place in a new land. Explore how the neighborhood has changed, and how the Museum at Eldridge Street and Seward Park Library, which continue to serve residents after almost 150 years, have changed with it.

Learn how Jewish immigrants flooded into New York City from Eastern Europe to escape persecution, and how they adapted to this wildly different socio-economic landscape once they arrived. Despite hardships, community members came together to pave their own way. They built the Eldridge Street Synagogue in under a year and pushed for public parks and resources, such as Seward Park and Seward Park Library, while remaining proud of their culture and identity.

You’ll also have the opportunity to see rare images and newspaper articles about Eldridge Street Synagogue and the Seward Park Library.

This program will be virtual over Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in your confirmation email.