January 21st 2024.
Attention all museum enthusiasts! Mark your calendars for February 1st because the Tenement Museum, located in Lower Manhattan, NY, is finally opening its new exhibit after several years. This time, the focus is on the stories of Black New Yorkers who lived in the tenements of Lower Manhattan during the 1860s and 1870s.
Just a few months ago, the Museum proudly reopened its National Historic Landmark tenement at 97 Orchard Street in the vibrant Lower East Side of New York. This exciting comeback coincides perfectly with the upcoming Black History Month, making it an ideal time to visit. Visitors will have the opportunity to delve into the experience of Black migrants in post-Civil War era New York City through a fascinating 75-minute guided tour filled with multimedia elements. According to a press release provided to BLACK ENTERPRISE, this tour, titled "A Union of Hope: 1869," promises to be an immersive and educational experience.
In a groundbreaking move, the Museum is now sharing the story of the Moore family, who were one of the few Black families to reside in a nearby tenement. This is a significant departure from the Museum's traditional focus on the lives of families who lived in their historical buildings. As stated in the press release, the Museum's ultimate goal is to shed light on the diverse experiences of immigrants and migrants throughout history.
The new exhibit, which has been years in the making, centers around the story of Joseph and Rachel Moore and features "200 never-before-seen" historical artifacts. Visitors will have the chance to follow in Joseph's footsteps from his free Black community in Belvidere, New Jersey, all the way to New York City. The tour will then take them to a recreated version of Joseph and Rachel's rear tenement at 17 Laurens Street. This neighborhood, known as the 8th Ward in the 1860s, is now commonly referred to as SoHo.
Leslie Harris, a consulting scholar and professor of History and Black Studies at Northwestern University, expressed her excitement for the new exhibit in the press release. She believes that the story of Joseph and Rachel Moore, who ventured to the city during a tumultuous time in American history, highlights how the first generation of free Black Americans navigated the evolving ideals of the nation during the revolutionary Civil War Era.
To further enrich the experience, the Museum will offer various virtual programs throughout Black History Month, specifically designed to delve deeper into the story of Joseph and Rachel Moore and their lives during the Civil War Era.
Don't miss out on this thought-provoking and eye-opening exhibit! Tickets for "A Union of Hope" tours can be purchased here. And if you're still craving more art and culture, don't forget to check out Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz's stunning art collection at the Brooklyn Museum. The Tenement Museum is excited to share this important chapter in Black history with the world, and we can't wait for you to join us on this journey. See you there!
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