An Immersive Educational Experience in New York
Inside an old tenement building in New York City, the Tenement Museum is reshaping how students experience American history. As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, discussions continue about the most effective ways to teach the country’s past. Moving beyond the traditional focus on political leaders and founding documents, the museum invites visitors to explore history through the lens of ordinary people.
During a guided visit, high school students climb the narrow stairways while their guide, Kat Lloyd, asks them to imagine the daily lives of the immigrant families who once lived there. Lloyd, the museum’s Vice President of Programs and Interpretation, explains that each preserved object and reconstructed apartment helps illustrate the human side of America’s development.
Personal Stories That Bring History to Life
The museum’s exhibitions recreate apartments once inhabited by immigrant, African American, and migrant families between the 1860s and the 1980s. Visitors encounter personal belongings and narratives that highlight both the challenges and achievements of those who contributed to the nation’s growth from modest circumstances.
A Broader Understanding of the American Experience
For educators, the museum’s approach offers a meaningful teaching tool. History teacher Mike Agovino believes that engaging multiple senses—seeing, touching, and even smelling—makes the past more real for students.
The tours also address complex issues such as poverty and racial discrimination, while emphasizing resilience and social progress. Authors and educators involved with the museum agree that this inclusive interpretation of history helps young people see themselves reflected in the American story and encourages a deeper understanding of how everyday individuals shape a nation’s legacy.
