Hands-On Archives: The Confino Family

The National Archives at New York City and the Lower East Side Tenement Museum offer a curriculum-based student field trip for schools, camps, and others to learn about our past.

Victoria Confino was only a youth when she emigrated from Kastoria, Greece, to the Lower East Side. As part of a family of eight, the Confinos began their American journey in a cramped fifth-floor tenement apartment at 97 Orchard Street on the Lower East Side.

In the Hands-On Archives: The Confino Family program, participants start their journey at the National Archives at New York City facility and discover the past of the Confino family through an exploration of primary sources. Through the passenger arrival records and census records of the Confino family, students investigate the past and gain essential historical skills. Participants in this research experience will also receive a tour and overview of other important historical documents held by the National Archives.

Participants then travel on their own to the Tenement Museum to "meet" Victoria Confino herself. On the hour-long tour of her 1916 tenement apartment, participants will learn Victoria's personal story as an illustration of the immigrant experience. Taking on the role of recent immigrants, students will interact with the 14-year-old Victoria and ask her questions about adjusting to life in the Lower East Side. Witness the actual physical conditions of a tenement, handle household objects, and listen to music on an authentic wind-up Victrola. Armed with historical understanding from their archival research, participants will be able to create thought-provoking questions for Victoria and gain a deep understanding of turn-of-the-century immigration in New York City.

For more information, contact the Tenement Museum at groups@tenement.org and the National Archives at New York City at newyork.archives@nara.gov

Reserving a Tour

To experience the complete Hands-On Archives: The Confino Family program, visit the Tenement Museum's website or call 866-606-7232. Select up to three dates and book the tour through the Tenement Museum. To reserve this dual program, you will need to indicate the program while booking. If booking online, put Hands On Archives-NARA in the "Other Comments or Questions" section. The Tenement Museum will coordinate the available tour date between the requester and the National Archives at New York City.

Note: This program runs on the same day for both sites. Please plan about 3-4 hours for the entire program. Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to both facilities. Travel time between facilities is approximately 30 minutes. National Archives reservations are free; however, the Tenement Museum is fee-based. Consult the Tenement Museum for specific prices.