top of page

NEW YORK CITY HISTORY

A vintage photograph of an old peddler man with a beard selling items in the middle of the street. There is a store behind him with signs written in Yiddish.

My New York

Recommended for Grades K-2 (In-Person & Virtual)

New York City was not always a big metropolis filled with skyscrapers and subways. Like all cities and communities, it needed time to grow. In the My New York program, students will be introduced to rural, suburban, and urban communities and how they change over time.

 

This is a two-part program. The first portion includes a read-aloud of Virginia Lee Burton’s The Little House and an art project in your school classroom. Part-two will take place on another date and consists of a trip to the Museum at Eldridge Street to see how our building’s story is just like that of the little house in the book.

Vintage Lower East Side street scene.

New Lives in a New Land

Recommended for Grades 3-12 (In-Person & Virtual)

In our signature program, New Lives in a New Land, students will learn about the history of immigration at the turn of the 20th century in relation to our historic Eldridge Street Synagogue.

 

From our founding in 1887 through our golden age, decline, and restoration, students will uncover the unique ways our building preserves the story of the Jewish immigrant community who once lived and worshiped on the Lower East Side.

 

We recommend pairing this tour with our "Following in Their Footsteps: A Lower East Side Walking Tour." See below.

A group of children wearing  masks outside on a walking tour.

Following in Their Footsteps: A Lower East Side Walking Tour

Recommended for Grades 3-12 (In-Person), K-12 (Virtual)

A century ago, the Lower East Side saw unparalleled growth as waves of immigrants settled, prayed, played, worked, shopped, and attended school in this neighborhood as they built their new lives. Today, there are signs of the past hidden within the modern streets. Join us as we walk in the footsteps of these immigrants and learn about their immigrant history.

We also offer a custom combination tour which consists of our building and neighborhood walking tour. This package lasts two hours in duration. Ask about this tour in your submission form and we can discuss fees and more. 

 

We recommend pairing this tour with our "New Lives in a New Land Tour." See above.

School Visit Hours & Rates

SCHOOL VISIT HOURS

Sunday - Friday
10 am - 5 pm

School programs run for 60 minutes unless otherwise noted.

*Title 1 schools and schools located in the neighborhoods of Chinatown, Two Bridges, and the Lower East Side of New York may qualify for reduced rates. Please ask for details when you make a reservation.

SCHOOL VISIT RATES*

On-site Visits

Pre-K to 12th-grade students: 
$8/student

$12/chaperone

Free admission for teachers, paras, teacher aides, and one chaperone (K-12) for every ten students.
 

College Students:
$10/student

$12/Professor or chaperone

Virtual Visits

Building or Walking Tour :

$100 for 0-35 people

$125 for 35-75 people

$150 for 75-100 people

Combo Building and Walking Tours (120 min):

$200 for 0-35 people

$250 for 35-75 people

$300 for 75-100 people

FAQs

How can I visit the Museum at Eldridge Street with my class? The Museum now offers virtual and on-site school programs. Please fill out our School Reservation form and a Museum educator will follow up on your request. Requests must be made at least two weeks in advance. Please note that submission of a request does not confirm your program and we will be evaluating in-person school requests on a case-by-case basis.
What is the length of a school program? Virtual and in-person school programs are 60 minutes long but can be adjusted according to the teacher’s preference. Please specify the preferred program length when you complete the School Reservation form or when you confirm your program with the Museum educator. On-site school programs are 60 minutes long.
What web platform do you use for your virtual field trips? We primarily do our programs on Zoom, but please tell us which platform you use while booking and we will do our best to accommodate your preferences. If you are unable to create your own Zoom link for the program, we can create one for you.
What is the format of your virtual programs? During a live, virtual interactive event, a museum educator will take you through the Museum building using a combination of photos, pre-recorded video and other activities. There will also be opportunities for students to ask questions through chat or audio, depending on the size of your group.
What happens if we are disconnected during our virtual program? If technical difficulties arise we will do our best to fix the problem. If technical issues persist after more than 15 minutes, we will work to reschedule your program.
How should I prepare my students for their program? We encourage you to explore the Museum’s website and especially the resources on our Learning from Home page.
What are your payment, rescheduling, and cancellation policies? Payment can be made by check or credit card. Please call the Education Department at (212) 219-0302 ext. 7 with a credit card, or send a check to: Museum at Eldridge Street ATTN: Education Department 12 Eldridge Street New York, NY 10002 Invoices must be paid in full one week after the visit. If you need to reschedule or cancel your program, please contact our Education Department at (212) 219-0303 ext 7 at least 24 hours in advance of your program. If you fail to do so, you will be charged the full program rate. In the event of a Museum or classroom closure, we will work to reschedule your program. If the program cannot be rescheduled, we will issue a refund.
What accommodations do you make for groups who have special needs? We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all students are welcome. Visit our accessibility webpage, and please contact us to discuss any special needs prior to your program date. We are more than happy to discuss all the options available.
Do you provide learning opportunities for teachers? Yes – we host workshops and other programs for teachers periodically throughout the year. Visit our Teacher Resources page to learn more.
bottom of page