Museum at Eldridge Street

Museum at Eldridge Street Visit the Museum housed in the magnificently restored 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue.

The Museum at Eldridge Street is housed in the 1887 Eldridge Street Synagogue, a magnificent National Historic Landmark that has been meticulously restored. Exhibits, tours, cultural events and educational programs tell the story of Jewish immigrant life at the turn of the last century, explore architecture and historic preservation, inspire reflection on cultural continuity, and foster collaboration and exchange between people of all faiths, heritages and interests.

09/04/2026

139 years ago today, September 4th, the Eldridge Street Synagogue first opened its doors to Jewish worshipers living on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.

Today, the Museum at Eldridge Street preserves the story of this 1887 National Historic Landmark building—a breathtaking testament to the hopes, traditions, and resilience of the immigrants who built new lives in New York City. ✨

Step inside and discover a place where history, architecture, faith, and community continue to meet.

eldridgestreet.org/visit 📍





09/01/2026

Witty Brothers: Part 1

Ever seen an old sign on the facade of a building and wondered about the story behind it? Our docent, Jeff Kramer, is uncovering one of these many NYC mysteries today by telling us about the Witty Brothers and their beautiful building here on Eldridge Street.

Join urban historian Bradley Shaw for a walking tour of the Jewish Rialto, where—from the 1890s through the 1940s—stars ...
08/31/2026

Join urban historian Bradley Shaw for a walking tour of the Jewish Rialto, where—from the 1890s through the 1940s—stars including Molly Picon, Boris Thomashefsky, Jacob Adler, Moishe Oysher, and Menasha Skulnik captivated audiences in Yiddish plays, classics, and musical productions.

Explore the streets where theaters, restaurants, and late-night hangouts once thrived for immigrant audiences seeking entertainment, community, and a connection to home. Along the way, see surviving theater buildings, discover the site of the first Yiddish play performed in the United States, and uncover stories that still echo along Second Avenue.

📍 Meet Brad outside Village East by Angelika, 181–189 Second Avenue
🎟️ Get tickets at eldridgestreet.org/events
📍 Tour ends at Second Avenue and East Houston Street

As we head into fall, it’s the perfect season to explore NYC on foot. 🍂Join us for upcoming walking tours through the Je...
08/30/2026

As we head into fall, it’s the perfect season to explore NYC on foot. 🍂

Join us for upcoming walking tours through the Jewish Lower East Side, Yiddish Broadway, and the world of All-of-a-Kind Family—or explore Jewish stories of the Gilded Age from home with our virtual tour. Discover the people, places, and stories that shaped our neighborhood.

Reserve your spot at eldridgestreet.org/events!





The Gilded Age left its mark all over New York City, and so did Jewish Americans, many just one generation away from imm...
08/27/2026

The Gilded Age left its mark all over New York City, and so did Jewish Americans, many just one generation away from immigrant beginnings at that time. From the Warburg Mansion (now the Jewish Museum) to the former homes of the Lehman, Loeb, Schiff, and Guggenheim families, explore how ambition, resilience, and generosity shaped the city and beyond.

Register for this virtual tour at eldridgestreet.org/events

08/24/2026

History of NYC Tenements: Part 2

Did you know that architects in NYC once competed to design a better tenement building? 🏙️

For many working-class immigrant families, tenement life meant enduring overcrowded rooms, poor ventilation, unsafe stairs, inadequate sanitation, and the constant threat of disease. Many residents worked long hours for low wages, leaving little time, money, or power to challenge negligent landlords or demand safer homes.

As public attention turned toward these unjust conditions, reformers, architects, and city officials pushed for stronger housing standards. Learn how the modern tenement came to be, and how it shaped the lives of immigrants on the Lower East Side. ✨

The Museum at Eldridge Street recently got a behind-the-scenes tour of the The American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS)...
08/24/2026

The Museum at Eldridge Street recently got a behind-the-scenes tour of the The American Jewish Historical Society (AJHS) archives. We explored "the stacks," learned about the types of artifacts and histories that AJHS acquires and protects, and got to see some of our very own records of the Eldridge Street Synagogue Restoration Project. We're honored to be a part of AJHS's vast collection of American Jewish stories!

We highly recommend checking out their current exhibitions, and as always, to learn more about us, plan your visit at eldridgestreet.org/visit

Swipe to turn the lights out 🕯️Ever wonder what the Museum at Eldridge Street's Main Sanctuary looks like before we flip...
08/20/2026

Swipe to turn the lights out 🕯️

Ever wonder what the Museum at Eldridge Street's Main Sanctuary looks like before we flip the switch on the antique light fixtures? The Eastern window, by artist Kiki Smith and architect Deborah Gans, casts an early morning glow, painting the walls blue until it's time to welcome visitors with the golden glow of the original lamps✨

See this stunning piece of history shine for yourself eldridgestreet.org/visit





08/18/2026

History of NYC Tenements: Part 1

Housing crises are not unique to the 21st century.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, as New York City’s population rapidly grew, tenement buildings became one of the city’s most common—and defining—forms of housing. Often overcrowded and lacking adequate light, ventilation, and sanitation, these buildings shaped the daily lives of countless immigrant families.

Join our docent Jeff as he explores the history of the New York tenement: an enduring part of the immigrant story and a key feature of the cityscape we know today.

If you’re looking for more history hidden in plain sight, discover our many walking tours at https://eldridgestreet.org/events ✨

Explore some of New York's most storied neighborhoods through the lens of Jewish History! From the Lower East Side acros...
08/16/2026

Explore some of New York's most storied neighborhoods through the lens of Jewish History! From the Lower East Side across the bridge to Williamsburg, you can walk in the footsteps of New Yorkers past.

Book your tour at eldridgestreet.org/events 👣🎟️✨

Address

12 Eldridge Street
New York, NY
10002

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

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