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Biography of a Tenement House in New York City: An Architectural History of 97 Orchard Street
"I trace my ancestry back to the Mayflower," writes Andrew S. Dolkart. "Not to the legendary ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth, Massachusetts, in 1620, but to the more prosaic tenement on the southeast corner of East Broadway and Clinton Street named the Mayflower, where my father was born in 1914 to Russian-Jewish immigrants."
For Dolkart, the experience of being...more
For Dolkart, the experience of being...more
Hardcover, 142 pages
Published
June 9th 2006
by University of Virginia Press
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This was a fascinating look into the architectural history of tenements from the mid 19th century to the early 20th. The illustrations were fantastic and the writing engaging. My only complaint would be that with all the focus on building codes, renovations, etc. there was less information on how such changes impacted the people living there at the time. A timeline of when each family written about was occupying a set of rooms would have been helpful, as well.
Excellent sections on the history of indoor/outdoor plumbing and key tenement housing Acts. I read the book first, then took a tour of the tenement house museum -- the book was much better.
I hesitate to give 4 stars to something that I am essentially using for the footnotes (as a research tool). However, this was really succinctly and interestingly written, incorporating actual detail from 97 Orchard Street and surrounding neighborhoods into discussion of housing policy reform in order to make it more tangible and less dry.
I also really like the book's design. The graphic artist behind this deserves some serious praise; even the page numbers look stellar.
I also really like the book's design. The graphic artist behind this deserves some serious praise; even the page numbers look stellar.
A quick fun read (if you're into house history...) - great graphics and photos...i love this museum.
Jan 12, 2011
Rita
marked it as to-read
This is a food journey for families in one building. I learned a lot about the history of food in this country and the history of immigrants in New York. My grandparents came to US in the time covered in this book. I imagine the food and events in the book were similar to their experiences.
Ok--- the author of this book is my teacher, but he also is one of the best NYC historians around. He keeps things lively in all of his writings and I would suggest that anyone interested in architectural and social histories of NYC take a moment to read his books.
May 17, 2013
Lauren
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Apr 13, 2013
Bonnie Mcnamara
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Feb 12, 2013
Melodie
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Michelle Barkley
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Mar 30, 2012
S Murphy
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Jan 14, 2012
Whatwhenwhere
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Oct 04, 2011
Julie
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Jul 28, 2011
Diana
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Jul 25, 2011
Tanya Smith
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