Between 1863 and 1935, over 7,000 immigrants who settled on New York's Lower East Side called the tenement building at 97 Orchard Street their home. Its three-room apartments measured just 325 square feet. Yet each one housed an average of six people --and as many as 14 -- along with their dreams of building a better life here in America. Today, seven decades later, this museum is a fascinating time capsule that reveals the immigrant experience in inspiring detail. Guided tours deliver poignant glimpses into the lives of several families that resided there. In the Confino family apartment, you'll spend an hour with teenage Victoria Confino in 1916. You'll walk in the shoes of a newly-arrived relative, as she gives you tips on the best ways to blend into your new world. She'll even let you try on period clothing, and fox trot to music she plays on an authentic, wind-up Victrola.

The Museum is also home to many thought-provoking art installations and theater productions, and has been instrumental in raising social consciousness both locally and globally. In fact, museum leaders spearheaded the creation of the Lower East Side Community Preservation Project -- which promotes respect and dialogue within this diverse community -- and the International Coalition of Historic Site Museums of Conscience. This worldwide group leverages the unique ability of museums and historic sites to help local communities initiate dialogue and learn from their history -- so they can apply those lessons to better solve current social problems.