I liked the museum. I think it’s a great place to go and visit. Because no matter where you’re coming from I think everyone in this country should appreciate the history of immigration. When we first went up to Victoria Confino’s apartment I thought it was funny when the tour guide and Victoria were talking to each other. It was nice to go back in time( before this trip I thought it was impossible to travel in time) 🙂  I noticed how her family didn’t have much space and she had to sleep on the kitchen floor. That was sad. I’ve been to Elise Island and I heard that some people were forced to stay on Elise Island for few days without food because they were waiting for the doctors note. It was a long and painful process and many times families were separated by deporting some family members. This shows how most immigrants struggled a lot to get to this country and I think they still do.
The walking tour was interesting. I didn’t like the fact that  brothels were next to the school and few blocks away from the synagogue. The tour guide was from New Zealand and he told me that it takes 20 hours to come to New York, which is insane(random). I was surprised when he said that some of the prostitutes were Jewish and how they working place was next to their “sacred place.” Overall the walking tour was informative but it was to cold  for me to comprehend the information entirely.
I agree with getting a sense of traveling back in time. I definitely got the feeling of everything just being in that tiny hallway, just imagining how crowded it must’ve been. Victoria did a good job also at making you feel like it was really then 1900s and you were really an immigrant, and it as interesting to see things hands on, rather than to look at pictures.
The walking tour was interesting because it gave you a feel of the things that have changed in the environment, but the things that are still the same.
Overall the trip gave me a message that immigrants have shaped and morphed culture in America throughout history.
I feel like the trip to the Tenement Museum was probably one of the best trips I have ever been to. Though it wasn’t even really like a “museum”, it gave me a deep insight of the living conditions of the Immigrants in the late 19th and 20th centuries unlike the other museums. Furthermore, having to communicate with the girl who was acting to be Victoria from 1916( who I believe anyone would agree did a very good of acting out her character) gave me a clear understanding of the average Immigrant’s life. Having to be the “Papa” , I started realizing how of what job would a father back in those centuries would prioritize for his kids: work, or education.
The walking tour deepened my understanding of the Immigrants living at the Tenements more. As the place hasn’t been much renovated from back then, it creates a more clear picture in our minds of the circumstances of the common European Immigrants. I would personally encourage anyone to visit the Tenement Museum. There is a lot one can learn through his/her visit to this Museum.
The walking tour was interesting and enjoyable, but it was just too cold. I guess it was bad luck that it coincided with bad weather because the two days after were really hot. Victoria was very interesting in contrast to just looking at the buildings, but it was interesting to know that there was a subway line running over Allen Street. Overall enjoyable, just poor weather conditions.
I would have to agree with Lennox. The best part of the trip was Victoria. Walking around the neighborhood and watching the television program wasn’t anything special, but actually interacting with someone made the experience truly memorable.
I really liked the trip. My favorite part was the tour inside the tenement house. I couldn’t believe how poor the living conditions were. When I walked in I thought it was a place for, at most, three people. Then I found out that a lot more people lived there. I was also surprised to see the clothing irons. My mom used to use irons like that when she was little. Overall, I really liked the trip.
The whole trip was okay. Nothing to be amazed about though. The only good part that really impressed me was the Victoria scene. It was a pretty fun experience. The walking tour was like any other. It couldn’t have been more exciting in my opinion. The cold weather didn’t help either, my nose was completely frozen after the tour.
I agree that it was cold for the walking tour but overall, I thought it was interesting. I liked the part where we met Victoria. She did an amazing job acting the part and it was really impressive that she answered everything right on the spot. I think unlike other museums, this one actually made me feel like i was in the past, like everything from the mood to the place felt so real.
I agree the weather wasn’t so great. I also promised friends I would meet up with them so I had them waiting on me but anyway, I dont think it was that bad. I actually have been to that area a lot of times because I have a natural passion for crossing bridges and roaming around. The history of it all was interesting. I never realized tenement apartments were that small and held 10 people or so. I wonder how they found space to even sleep.
Just goes to show that conditions were terrible for immigrants that came into the United States in the late 19th, early 20th century. The experience did actually reveal some cool things in the past, like that iron that needed to be heated by a coal-power stove. That soap holder was actually pretty neat too. I agree with with most of the above comments though. This trip would have been better on a warmer day.
No offence though, but I’m all for modernizing. The tour guide seemed to emphasize how the area is changing and I think it should be. Change is sometimes good.
It really was too cold for the walking trip. But at the same time, it was very interesting to learn about the history of the lower east side of Manhattan. I thought that everyone involved in the trip was very knowledgeable, and that we were able to learn a lot from them. Especially, from Victoria Confino who was amazing at staying in character, really showed us how it mus t have felt to be an immigrant during that time. Overall, the trip was relevant and beneficial to the theme we are studying in class.
I think the video watching part was really unnecessary. Luckily the guy turned the television off just right when i was about to fall asleep. I think the visit of Victoria’s apartment was really interesting and she acted out her role very well. It really made me felt as if i was back in her time for a second when she told me to put that hat on. The tour was also very interesting because i got to actually learn the history of lower east manhattan. Overall, i thought the trip was a worthwhile trip.
The weather really was horrible for a walking tour. It sure was pretty amazing though. The lifestyle of the immigrants of that time sounds horrible. The tenements were such a tight fit and to have that many people living in one of those apartments, is just amazing. I think my favorite part of this trip was seeing Victoria also. She was really good actor. It’s pretty hard to shake her off character. I was impressed. She was also very informative.
Well…it wasn’t the best weather to have a walking tour.
Like I said the whole Confino tour was both interesting and awkward. The atmosphere made it seem like we were really in the past. The woman playing Victoria did a really good job acting her role. At first when the tour guide was talking to her, I was like oh god…”face palm”. Then when we were in the room, it got more and more interesting. The video part wasn’t that…great..that is all I have to say about it hahaha. Next was the walking tour. I liked the fact that we were outside looking at the actual sites unlike other museums where we’re inside and just look at stuff. But…yeah it wasn’t the best weather and all the noise around was really disruptive. It probably would’ve been better if the weather was warmer. Overall it was a great experience and honestly I felt that the class got closer together. BONDING whoo! Lol!
I agree. I think that the best part of the tour was Victoria herself. She was amazing. She had an answer to everything and really made you believe. I was impressed.