A Window to the Soul: Architect Deborah Gans on her Enduring Contribution to Eldridge Street
This piece was adapted from a post originally written in July 2018. Upon entering the beautifully restored sanctuary at the Museum at Eldridge Street, visitors are transported back to the height of the synagogue’s glory. Built in 1887 during the massive wave of Jewish immigration to the Lower East Side, it was restored in the […]
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Rebuild or reimagine? Preservation questions plague Notre Dame.
This post was written by Nancy Johnson, Curator and Archivist and Chelsea Dowell, Director of Public Engagement. Decisions, decisions…. Recent news reports have revealed the next chapter in the ongoing story of Notre Dame de Paris, the massive 12th-century cathedral at the very heart of the French capital. In April 2019, the landmark suffered a […]
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1924: a stroke of Coolidge’s pen changes the face of America
On May 26, 1924 the United States enacted a strict immigration policy that forever altered the demographics, and the identity, of the country. To mark the anniversary, we are reposting this blog originally posted in 2019. Though immigration is a currently contested topic in the United States and around the world, it also has a […]
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Things we miss: stories in gold silk
This post was written by curator and archivist Nancy Johnson. It’s been many weeks now since we’ve been at the Museum, and I find myself wanting to enjoy some of my favorite artifacts there – not just the items on display in our permanent exhibition, but also some of the treasures that are tucked away […]
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Fruitful fire escapes & bountiful backyards: city victory gardens make a comeback
This post was written by Museum intern Lila Norris. It seems like everyone knows someone who is using their isolation to become a master bread baker or a vegetable gardener. It’s been harder to procure many of the foods we’re used to picking up easily at the grocery store and canned beans and frozen broccoli […]
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An All-of-a-Kind Family Survival Guide to Quarantine
This post was written by Rachel Serkin. Millions of families, including my own, are heading into an eighth week of staying at home. And there’s no official end date in sight. I find myself grasping at ways to keep my toddler-aged child engaged and entertained while preserving some shred of sanity for myself and my […]
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No spitting!
If you’ve been on a historic building tour at the Museum at Eldridge Street, chances are you’ve seen one of these ceramic bowls. Yup, it’s a spittoon — a designated place for people to spit! During the late-19th and early-20th century, spittoons were on floors everywhere – offices, courthouses, restaurants – even the White House. […]
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Pairing old wisdom and new tricks to make a super-sustainable landmark
When we think of green or sustainable buildings, we tend to think of innovative architecture and cutting edge technology. What if we told you that sometimes the greenest buildings are the oldest? This year for Earth Day, we’re sharing the many ways in which our historic building is eco-friendly and energy saving! And not every […]
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How is this Seder plate different than other Seder plates?
This post was originally written by Museum intern John Hanson in April 2018. We are reposting with edits for this year’s Passover holiday. Passover is the oldest, continuously celebrated holiday of the Jewish calendar. And it is a holiday commemorated with deep and longstanding traditions. But this year, families are being forced to adapt their […]
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A French Flourless Cake to Bring Comfort & Joy
This post was written by Museum intern Lila Norris. At a time when it feels as though everything we were looking forward to has been canceled, it can be difficult to remember that life does in fact go on. Spring is still springing outside our windows and holidays will still take place even if gatherings […]
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