MHM 2023 Past Programs - Merchant's House Museum

2023 Past Programs

JANUARY

Sunday, January 1, 2023, 3 p.m.
Virtual New Year’s Day 2023 Celebration!
Paying social calls on friends and family on the first day of the new year was one of Old New York’s most cherished customs. Join us – virtually – for good cheer to toast the New Year and learn how New Yorkers like the Tredwells celebrated the day.

In this immersive video experience, we’ll go back in time to the mid-19th century to meet the Tredwells and hear how they’ve been decking the house for New Year’s Day and preparing their lists of social calls. Join us as we continue the 19th century tradition of renewing, reviving, and reaffirming friendships that last the whole year through.

After the video, join Museum Historian Ann Haddad and the actors for a live Q&A. 45 minutes. FREE (suggested donation $10); register for Virtual New Year’s Day Celebration.

Open through Sunday, January 8
Special Holiday Exhibition –
Christmas Comes to Old New York
Step back in time to the 1850s and join the Tredwell family for the holidays. Their elegant parlors are decorated with swags of evergreens, brilliant holly berries, white mistletoe, and red-leafed poinsettias – and a table top tree festooned with ribbons and candles.

Celebrate the season and discover how many of our modern holiday traditions, from table-top Christmas trees, to presents and stockings, Christmas carols and songs (and Santa Claus, too) originated in mid-19th century New York. Included with museum admission.

Tuesday, January 17, 5:30 p.m.
Before Salmagundi: Part Two, with Anthony Bellov
Co-sponsored by the Salmagundi Club and Village Preservation
MHM volunteer and esteemed architectural sleuth Anthony Bellov continues with Part Two of his popular series exploring the historic fabric and architectural and social history of the 1853 Hawley Mansion, now the Salmagundi Club. He’ll explore the stunning architecture of the Double Parlors and delve deeply into the former appearance and functions of the Second Floor, now housing the Club’s world-renown 1917 library, revealing unnoticed details of past lives in the process. This is an in-person talk, held at the Salmagundi Club at 47 Fifth Avenue. Free; register at www.salmagundi.org.

Friday, January 20, 6:30 p.m.
In the Spirit of Science: Researching the Paranormal Using the Scientific Method
Virtual Program
January’s Topic: “What Is Psi?” (Other Than the 23rd Letter of the Greek Alphabet)
RESCHEDULED to March 10.
ESP, clairvoyance, deja vu, precognition, synchronicity. These and other psychic or paranormal abilities and phenomena are all psi, experiences of the human mind that seem to violate our common sense view of space and time. What kinds of experiments can be done to validate psi? What do these experiments “prove,” if anything? Join Dan, Matilda, and Dr. Lee as they delve into psi, one of the most researched areas of parapsychology.

In the Spirit of Science is an ongoing virtual program about ground-breaking paranormal research, that began in 2020, when the Museum closed due to COVID-19. Through unbiased observation and systematic experimentation, this research is building a better understanding of the strange and fascinating phenomena observed at the Merchant’s House.

The project is led by neuroscientist Dr. Lee and Dan Sturges, founder of Sturges Paranormal, who appears on the Travel Channel’s weekly series, Paranormal Caught on Camera. He has performed investigations at the Merchant’s House – and documented his spine-chilling findings – since 2007. Thanatologist Matilda Garrido joins Dan and Dr. Lee to discuss their research findings.
FREE (suggested donation $10). Register for In the Spirit of Science.

Saturday, January 21, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Inside Old New York: A Neighborhood & House Tour
Co-Sponsored by The Gilded Gentleman Podcast and Bowery Boys Walking Tours
Join Carl Raymond, host of The Gilded Gentleman history podcast for this unique look inside the world of Old New York. In many ways, the roots of the society that fueled the Gilded Age began here, with the old money families, like the Astors. Wealthy families, such as the Tredwells, who owned what is today the Merchant’s House Museum, were the foundation of the economy and society we call “Old New York.”

This 90-minute tour will begin with a brief walk in the neighborhood south of Astor Place, pre-Civil War New York’s wealthiest area and then proceed to the Merchant’s House Museum. This unique expertly guided tour inside the house will include the formal parlor and dining room, the families private areas and bedrooms, and we’ll even have a chance to visit the servant’s quarters. $40; Register for “Inside Old New York.”

Exhibition on Display through Sunday, March 5
Tredwell Costume Collection: “Fancy Dress” Costume (1885-1890), MHM 2002.0825
In the late 19th century, “fancy dress” costume balls were grand social affairs and widely reported in the press. Guests dressed in very elaborate costumes, and historical themes were most popular. On display, a sack-back – or sacque-back – gown, also known as a robe à la Française. The style of dress was popular in the 1700s, and was distinguished by its back; fabric was arranged in box pleats at the shoulders and fell to the floor in a small train. The sleeves of this dress harken back to an even earlier time, the 16th century, enhancing the romance and nostalgia of a time gone by. Included with museum admission.

Exhibition on Display January 26 – March 12
19th-Century Valentines: Confections of Affection
Ornate and extravagant lace paper valentines reached their zenith during the second half of the 19th century. Victorian sentimentalism combined with advancing print technology fostered an outpouring of handmade and manufactured cards. Lace paper made its appearance in the 1830s, followed by ‘scraps,’ small embossed cut-outs colored by early chromo-lithography.

On display is a selection of 19th century valentines, including several from the Tredwell Collection. Delicate and lacy, these expressions of love celebrate the whimsy and romance of the Golden Age of Valentines. Included with regular admission.

Exhibition on Display January 19 – March 26
Winter Warmth: How the Tredwells Bundled Up
In the 19th century, there was no escaping the cold. Even with brisk fires burning, water froze in wash bowls, ink froze in wells, and wine in their bottles. People did what little they could to keep the cold at bay, but interior temperatures in the 19th century were well below today’s standard 68 degrees. On display, rarely seen objects from the original Tredwell collection, including a foot stove, quilts, a muff, hand-knit ‘joint warmers,’ and a crocheted capelette, all items the family used to (try to) keep warm during the cold winter months. Included with regular admission.

FEBRUARY

Tuesday, February 14, 7 p.m.
Love in the Parlors: A Valentine in Concert
The renowned Bond Street Euterpean Singing Society presents lush, romantic vocal selections by some of the world’s great 19th-century composers including Beethoven, Liszt, Richard Strauss, Amy Beach, Johann Strauss II, and others performed in the Museum’s authentic Greek Revival double parlor. Singers Anthony Bellov, Amy Gluck, Jane Elizabeth Rady, and Dayle Vander Sande. This performance will take place in-house and livestream. Selected as a Top Pick for Valentine’s Day: NBC Online and TimeOut NY! 80 minutes.

This performance will be presented both in-person and virtually.
In-person tickets: $50, $35 MHM Members. Capacity is strictly limited and masks are required.

Virtual livestream tickets: $20, $15 MHM Members. Ticketholders will receive a downloadable PDF with viewing instructions.

Thursday, February 16, 6 p.m.
Free, “Half-Free,” and Enslaved: Black Life in New Amsterdam
Virtual Talk via Zoom
The first enslaved people of African descent to be brought to New Amsterdam were eventually emancipated and granted farmland on and near what is now the Merchant’s House Museum. Join Museum Historian Ann Haddad as she explores the complex story of Black life in the 17th century Dutch settlement, and the free, “half-free,” and enslaved Black people who raised families, established a strong community, and contributed to the development of New York City. Newly opened Manuel Plaza, adjacent to the Museum, pays tribute to these men and women who settled on what was known as the “Land of the Blacks.” Free.

Saturday, February 18, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Inside Old New York: A Neighborhood & House Tour
In-Person!
Co-Sponsored by The Gilded Gentleman Podcast and Bowery Boys Walking Tours
Join Carl Raymond, host of The Gilded Gentleman history podcast for this unique look inside the world of Old New York. In many ways, the roots of the society that fueled the Gilded Age began here, with the old money families, like the Astors. Wealthy families, such as the Tredwells, who owned what is today the Merchant’s House Museum, were the foundation of the economy and society we call “Old New York.”

This 90-minute in-person tour will begin with a brief walk in the neighborhood south of Astor Place, pre-Civil War New York’s wealthiest area and then proceed to the Merchant’s House Museum. This unique expertly guided tour inside the house will include the formal parlor and dining room, the families private areas and bedrooms, and we’ll even have a chance to visit the servant’s quarters. $40.

MARCH

Friday, March 10, 6:30 p.m.
In the Spirit of Science: Researching the Paranormal Using the Scientific Method
Virtual Program
March’s Topic: “What Is Psi?” (Other Than the 23rd Letter of the Greek Alphabet)
(Rescheduled from January 20)
ESP, clairvoyance, deja vu, precognition, synchronicity. These and other psychic or paranormal abilities and phenomena are all psi, experiences of the human mind that seem to violate our common sense view of space and time. What kinds of experiments can be done to validate psi? What do these experiments “prove,” if anything? Join Dan, Matilda, and Dr. Lee as they delve into psi, one of the most researched areas of parapsychology.

Saturday, March 11, 3 p.m. (Raindate Sunday, March 26)
Walking Tour: Ghostly Women of Greenwich Village – The Haunting Histories of the Neighborhood’s Most Iconic Female Ghosts
With Andrea Janes, of Boroughs of the Dead.
Meet the ghostly women of Greenwich Village on this 90-minute walking tour that explores the haunting histories of the neighborhood’s most iconic female ghosts. Discover the stories of Gertrude Tredwell, the women of the Triangle Shirtwaist factory fire, Edith Wharton, Rose Butler, Jan Bryant Bartell, Theodosia Burr, and more. On this tour we’ll discuss the prevalence and significance of women in ghost stories as well as sharing some chilling and fascinating true life tales. $30; MHM Members $25.

Andrea Janes tells ghost stories for a living. She is the co-author of A Haunted History of Invisible Women and the owner and founder of Boroughs of the Dead, a boutique tour company dedicated to dark and unusual walking tours of New York City.

Sunday, March 12, 1:30 p.m.
Historic Walking Tour of 19th Century Noho
Second and Fourth Sunday of each month
Join us for a journey back in time to the elite ‘Bond Street area,’ home to Astors, Vanderbilts, Delanos – and the Tredwells, who lived in the Merchant’s House. You’ll see how the neighborhood surrounding the Tredwells’ home evolved from a refined and tranquil residential enclave into a busy commercial center. Visit important 19th century landmark buildings on this tour through 21st century NoHo. $25, FREE for Members. Reservations strongly recommended. Walking Tours are 90 minutes are meet outside the Merchant’s House.

Wednesday, March 15, 6 p.m.
In the Footsteps of Bridget Murphy: A Virtual House Tour
The 1855 New York State Census gives us the names of the Irish women who worked in the Tredwell home: Mary James, Mary Smith, and Bridget Murphy, who was just 19 years old. To celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, join us for a “back-stairs” virtual tour of the Merchant’s House to experience what daily life was really like for Bridget, and for the thousands of women like her who worked in domestic service in 19th century New York City. We’ll visit four floors of period rooms, from the ground floor kitchen to the 4th floor servants’ quarters, “arguably the oldest intact site of Irish habitation in New York City” (Time Out New York). Free (suggested donation $10).

Friday, March 17, 6:30 p.m.
“Spirit of the Irish” Candlelight Ghost Tour
Includes the 4th Floor Servants’ Quarters!
Doors slam, floorboards creak, voices call into the dead of night. Venture into the shadows of history to see the house where eight family members died and hear true tales of inexplicable occurrences from the people who actually experienced them. Many of the most peculiar occurrences have been related to the Tredwells’ Irish servants, and so in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, this tour will include the 4th floor Servants’ Quarters. Capacity is limited and masks are REQUIRED for this in-person tour. 50-60 minutes. $45, $35 MHM Members.

Friday, March 17, 7 p.m.
“Spirit of the Irish” Super Spooky Ghost Tour, with Paranormal Investigator Dan Sturges
Includes the 4th Floor Servants’ Quarters!
Join paranormal investigator Dan Sturges on a Super Spooky Candlelight Ghost Tour for an in-depth look at the latest paranormal research and findings. Dan is the founder of Sturges Paranormal and appears on the Travel Channel’s weekly series, Paranormal Caught on Camera. He has performed investigations at the Merchant’s House – and documented his spine-chilling findings – since 2007. Capacity is limited and masks are REQUIRED for this in-person tour. 90-100 minutes. $65, $55 MHM Members.

Saturday, March 18, 1:30 p.m.
Walking Tour: Reinventing the Bond Street Neighborhood, 1865-1900
In the first half of the 19th century, the “Bond Street” area was a fashionable exclave for wealthy merchant families like the Tredwells. As commercial interests encroached, these families began moving uptown, transforming the neighborhood. Many homes evolved into boarding houses and business establishments; some were torn down and replaced with manufacturing and commercial buildings. By 1900, the once-fashionable “Bond Street” neighborhood was primarily a commercial area known for printing and manufacturing.

During our walk, we will see some of the grand buildings that defined the era, including the imposing DeVinne Press Building (1886), where several leading American magazines were printed, including Scribner’s Monthly. In 1888, William C Schermerhorn demolished his family mansion on Lafayette Street and constructed a stunning factory building designed by Henry J. Hardenbergh, which he then rented out to a manufacturer of boys’ clothing. $20, FREE for Members. Reservations strongly recommended. Walking Tours are 90 minutes and meet outside the Merchant’s House.

Exhibition Opens Thursday, March 23
A 19th Century Influencer: Sarah Josepha Hale and Godey’s Lady’s Book
As editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book, the most widely read magazine of the 19th century, Sarah Josepha Hale was one of America’s most influential voices. With no significant competitors, Godey’s had a reach unimaginable for any single publication in today’s world, boasting over 150,000 subscribers in 1858. Godey’s – and Hale – informed readers on a dizzying array of topics. Each issue contained poetry and short stories, sheet music, illustrations, needlework patterns, architectural house plans, scientific articles, fashion plates, and more. On display, a selection of Godey’s issues from the collection, 1839-1879.

Thursday, March 23, 5:30 p.m.
Before Salmagundi: The Evolution of an 1853 Fifth Avenue Mansion
With Anthony Bellov and Museum Historian Ann Haddad
Part Three – Finale, Downstairs/Upstairs
Co-sponsored by the Salmagundi Club and Village Preservation
Club member and esteemed architectural sleuth Anthony Bellov continues with Part Three of his smash series exploring the historic fabric and social history of the Hawley Mansion, today’s Salmagundi Club. In Part Three he’ll explore the complete transformation of the Basement (Ground Floor) and what it had been like before Salmagundi converted it into their Bar and Dining Room. He’ll also examine the intact architecture of the rarely visited Third and Fourth Floors – once the domain of the family children and servants.

Joining him in this voyage will be guest speaker Ann Haddad, Merchant’s House Museum Historian, the beloved historic house museum in NoHo. She will discuss the daily life and work of 19th century domestic servants, and how it would have been impossible to run a home like 54 Fifth Avenue without them.

5:30 PM | Meet and greet the presenter in parlor
6:30 PM (Promptly) | Presentation and Q&A in skylight gallery
7:30 PM | Conversation continues over dinner if you so choose (reservations strongly suggested)
Presentation is Free.

Sunday, March 26, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Inside Old New York: A Neighborhood & House Tour
In-Person!
Co-Sponsored by The Gilded Gentleman Podcast and Bowery Boys Walking Tours
Join Carl Raymond, host of The Gilded Gentleman history podcast for this unique look inside the world of Old New York. In many ways, the roots of the society that fueled the Gilded Age began here, with the old money families, like the Astors. Wealthy families, such as the Tredwells, who owned what is today the Merchant’s House Museum, were the foundation of the economy and society we call “Old New York.”

Sunday, March 26, 1:30 p.m.
Historic Walking Tour of 19th Century Noho
Join us for a journey back in time to the elite ‘Bond Street area,’ home to Astors, Vanderbilts, Delanos – and the Tredwells, who lived in the Merchant’s House. You’ll see how the neighborhood surrounding the Tredwells’ home evolved from a refined and tranquil residential enclave into a busy commercial center. Visit important 19th century landmark buildings on this tour through 21st century NoHo. $20, FREE for Members. Reservations strongly recommended. Walking Tours are 90 minutes and meet outside the Merchant’s House.

Exhibition on display through Sunday, March 26
19th-Century Valentines: Confections of Affection
Ornate and extravagant lace paper valentines reached their zenith during the second half of the 19th century. Victorian sentimentalism combined with advancing print technology fostered an outpouring of handmade and manufactured cards. Lace paper made its appearance in the 1830s, followed by ‘scraps,’ small embossed cut-outs colored by early chromo-lithography.

Women Who Dared: 19th Century American Women Writers
In celebration of Women’s History Month, revisit our series of readings of 19th century short stories written by American women authors, and published in magazines like Godey’s Lady’s Book.
Compiled and read by Museum Historian Ann Haddad, these stories reveal the harsh realities of women’s lives in a male-dominated world, both inside the home and in society at large. These “women who dared” defied convention by invading the traditionally masculine domain of literature – and they were successful, albeit treated with disdain. The series concludes with a panel discussion and Q&A with literary and feminist scholar Elaine Showalter, Professor Emeritus, Princeton University, which took place in April 2021. View the stories on YouTube here.

APRIL

Sunday, April 9, 1 to 4 p.m.
Spring Hat Party for Families in Our “Secret” Garden!
Celebrate the start of spring break with a festive hat party in our 19th century “secret” garden. Wear your finest (or wildest) spring bonnet for an afternoon of fun and history for the whole family. (Kids can create their own paper hats at our craft table.) Enjoy light refreshments and music; pose for a photo in front of our spring garden selfie wall; enter our Raffle.Prizes will be awarded for most creative hats.
1 to 3 p.m. — Music, refreshments, hat-making, and casual tours of the garden
3 p.m. — Prizes awarded, followed by raffle drawing.
All ages welcome! Tickets $10; children must be accompanied by an adult. Members free.
All proceeds from the Spring Hat Party support our 19th century garden.
No rain date (refunds will be offered in case of rain).

Friday, April 14, 6:30 p.m.
Virtual Program – In the Spirit of Science
Near Death — and Shared Death — Experiences
You may have heard of Near Death Experiences (NDEs) and the controversies around how and why they occur. There is now growing interest in Shared Death Experiences (SDEs), described as a “living person sharing in the experience of the dying person.” This includes witnessing a great light, flying through a tunnel, and even finally arriving at an impassable glowing threshold alongside an actively dying loved one. Join Dan, Dr. Lee, and Matilda as they discuss these fascinating NDE and SDE phenomena and the growing body of research and data that support them. Registrants are encouraged to share their own experiences when registering, which may be read aloud (anonymously) during the program. FREE (suggested donation $10).

In the Spirit of Science is a monthly virtual program on topics related to ongoing paranormal research at the Merchant’s House. Using the scientific method, with unbiased observation and systematic experimentation, this research is building a better understanding of the strange and fascinating phenomena experienced by staff, volunteers, and visitors at “Manhattan’s Most Haunted House” (The New York Times).
The research project and monthly virtual programs are led by neuroscientist Dr. Lee, thanatologist and MHM volunteer Matilda Garrido, and Dan Sturges, founder of Sturges Paranormal, who appears on the Travel Channel’s weekly series, Paranormal Caught on Camera.

Saturday, April 15, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. RESCHEDULED to Saturday, May 13
In-Person
Inside Old New York: A Neighborhood & House Tour
With Carl Raymond, Host of The Gilded Gentleman Podcast
Join Carl Raymond, host of The Gilded Gentleman history podcast, for this unique look inside the world of Old New York. In many ways, the roots of the society that fueled the Gilded Age began here, with the old money families like the Astors. Wealthy families, such as the Tredwells, who owned what is today the Merchant’s House Museum, were the foundation of the economy and society we call “Old New York.”

This in-person tour will begin with a brief walk in the neighborhood south of Astor Place, pre-Civil War New York’s wealthiest area, and then proceed to the Merchant’s House Museum. This unique expertly guided tour inside the interior-landmarked 1832 house will include the formal parlor and dining room, the family’s private areas and bedrooms, and even the Irish servants’ quarters.
90 minutes. $40.

Co-Sponsored by The Gilded Gentleman Podcast and Bowery Boys Walking Tours

Saturday, April 15, 1:30 p.m.
Walking Tour: Reinventing the Bond Street Neighborhood, 1865-1900
In the first half of the 19th century, the “Bond Street” area was a fashionable exclave for wealthy merchant families like the Tredwells. As commercial interests encroached, these families began moving uptown, transforming the neighborhood. Many homes evolved into boarding houses and business establishments; some were torn down and replaced with manufacturing and commercial buildings. By 1900, the once-fashionable “Bond Street” neighborhood was primarily a commercial area known for printing and manufacturing.

Wednesday, April 19, 6:30 p.m.
An Interior Designer’s Perspective: Life, Customs, and Style in Mid-19th Century New York
A Virtual House Tour
The miracle of the Merchant’s House is that it remains intact with the family’s original 19th century furniture, decorative arts, artwork, curtains and other textiles, encapsulating a moment in time. In this immersive video experience, you’ll follow interior designer and MHM volunteer docent Dennis McAvena through a unique portal of New York City’s design history. You’ll tour all five floors of this landmark late-Federal and Greek Revival rowhouse, exploring how the design of the period rooms, from the elegant to the utilitarian, reflected the family’s values and taste, and informed their use. A Q&A with host Dennis McAvena will follow the tour. Free (suggested donation $10).

Sunday, April 23, 1:30 p.m.
Walking Tour: Life with the Tredwells in Historic 19th Century Noho
With the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal, the city’s economy boomed and wealthy merchant families escaped the increasing noise, congestion, and commercialization of the seaport area to move “uptown,” to what is now modern day NoHo, then an exclusive residential enclave. Join us as we explore the Tredwells’ elite neighborhood and discover what life was like for the wealthy merchant class in the mid-19th century. $20, FREE for Members. Reservations strongly recommended. Walking Tours are 90 minutes and meet outside the Merchant’s House.

MAY

Wednesday, May 3, 6 p.m.
The Tredwells’ World: New York City in 1835
A Virtual Talk with Museum Historian Ann Haddad
Join Museum Historian Ann Haddad and explore the Tredwells’ neighborhood and city as it was in 1835, the year that Seabury Tredwell purchased the Merchant’s House and moved in with his wife, Eliza, their seven children, and their Irish servants. From prestigious neighbors to local shops, churches, and schools, you’ll see the city as the Tredwells did as they began their residency on Fourth Street. FREE (suggested donation $10).

Friday, May 12, 6:30 p.m.
In the Spirit of Science: Reincarnation
Virtual Program
Reincarnation…past lives…life before life? Join Dan, Dr. Lee, and Matilda as they delve into the history of reincarnation in religion and culture. We’ll discuss some famous cases of purported reincarnation and where research (there is a lot!) stands today. FREE (suggested donation $10).

In the Spirit of Science is a monthly virtual program on topics related to ongoing paranormal research at the Merchant’s House. Using the scientific method, with unbiased observation and systematic experimentation, this research is building a better understanding of the strange and fascinating phenomena experienced by staff, volunteers, and visitors at “Manhattan’s Most Haunted House” (The New York Times).

The research project and monthly virtual programs are led by neuroscientist Dr. Lee, thanatologist and MHM volunteer Matilda Garrido, and Dan Sturges, founder of Sturges Paranormal, who appears on the Travel Channel’s weekly series, Paranormal Caught on Camera.

Saturday, May 13, 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Inside Old New York: A Neighborhood & House Tour
In-Person with Carl Raymond, Host of The Gilded Gentleman Podcast
Join Carl Raymond, host of The Gilded Gentleman history podcast, for this unique look inside the world of Old New York. In many ways, the roots of the society that fueled the Gilded Age began here, with the old money families like the Astors. Wealthy families, such as the Tredwells, who owned what is today the Merchant’s House Museum, were the foundation of the economy and society we call “Old New York.”

Co-Sponsored by The Gilded Gentleman Podcast and Bowery Boys Walking Tours

Saturday, May 13, 1:30 p.m.
Walking Tour: Reinventing the Bond Street Neighborhood, 1865-1900
In the first half of the 19th century, the “Bond Street” area was a fashionable exclave for wealthy merchant families like the Tredwells. As commercial interests encroached, these families began moving uptown, transforming the neighborhood. Many homes evolved into boarding houses and business establishments; some were torn down and replaced with manufacturing and commercial buildings. By 1900, the once-fashionable “Bond Street” neighborhood was primarily a commercial area known for printing and manufacturing.

Sunday, May 28, 1:30 p.m.
Walking Tour: The Tredwells’ World of 19th Century Noho
With the 1825 opening of the Erie Canal, the city’s economy boomed and wealthy merchant families escaped the increasing noise, congestion, and commercialization of the seaport area to move “uptown,” to what is now modern day NoHo, then an exclusive residential enclave. Join us as we explore the Tredwells’ elite neighborhood and discover what life was like for the wealthy merchant class in the mid-19th century. $20, FREE for Members. Reservations strongly recommended; purchase tickets. Walking Tours are 90 minutes and meet outside the Merchant’s House.

May is Lower East Side History Month
Lower East Side History Month was launched in 2014 in the hope that a collective celebration of our neighborhood would strengthen our connection to each other and strengthen our sense of community.

Finding ways to come together to share stories, honor neighbors, respect histories—to remember our roots, past struggles, and past joys—feels profoundly important. It’s clear that the bonds of community have been critical in sustaining us as we navigate overlapping crises of health, economic survival, and the ongoing battle for racial justice. Our history sheds light on our present and can motivate us to continue building a future of mutual support, respect, and inclusion. Learn more.

2023 Past Programs

JANUARY

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APRIL

MAY

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