Historical Sites

Angel Orensanz Center

172 Norfolk St.

212-529-7194

The Center is housed in the oldest synagogue building in New York. Built in 1849, the historic structure was built in the German-Romantic tradition. The structure has 54-foot ceilings and now serves as a spiritual and cultural center. Call for an appointment to visit the space.
www.orensanz.org

Beth Hamedrash Hagadol

60 Norfolk Street

212-374-4100

Call the Lower East Side Conservancy for an appointment.

A Gothic Revival structure erected in 1852; a New York City landmark. This synagogue was originally a Baptist church, and now it houses the oldest Russian Jewish congregation in the United States.

Essex Street Market

120 Essex Street

212-388-0449

Monday-Saturday from 8am-6pm

The market has been serving the community for over 50 years selling fresh meats, produce and other products. The market was created by Mayor Fiorello H. La Guardia to bring pushcart vendors together indoors. Click here for photos of today's Essex Street Market. 
www.essexstreetmarket.com

Henry Street Settlement

265 Henry Street
 (at the corner of Montgomery Street, one block east of Henry Street)

212-766-9200


Since its founding in 1893 by social work pioneer Lillian D. Wald, Henry Street has met continuously the needs of its Lower East Side neighbors. Today, Henry Street offers a wealth of social services and cultural programs, including educational and recreational opportunities for youth, shelters and transitional housing, workforce development programs, mental health services, services for seniors and home-bound individuals, and a multi-disciplinary arts programming at its Abrons Arts Center. Henry Street's Abrons Arts Center is one of the first arts facilities in the nation designed for a predominantly low-income population. Located at 466 Grand Street, the Center hosts year-round classes for children and adults, as well as arts-in-ducation programming in public schools, artists-in-residence opportunities and regular performances and gallery exhibits.
www.henrystreet.org
info@henrystreet.org

Henry Street Settlement Abrons Arts Center

466 Grand Street, at the corner of Pitt Street (one block east of Ridge Street))

212-598-0400

Tues-Sat 10am - 10pm; Sun 11am-6pm

Abrons is home to the national historic landmark Playhouse, two additional theaters, two galleries, and artist studios. Bringing contemporary and experimental performance to the Lower East Side. Abrons also hosts a range of art exhibitions and offers training in music, dance, theater, and visual arts to children and adults. www.abronsartscenter.org

Jarmulovsky's Bank Building

54/58 Canal Street

Erected in 1895, this building was the tallest structure on the Lower East Side at the time. Founded by Sender Jarmulovsky who, literally, went from rags to riches (he began his "career" on Hester Street, selling rags from a pushcart), the bank collapsed after the pre-World War I panic, when depositors rushed to withdraw funds to help relatives in Europe.

Kehila Kedosha Janina Synagogue and Museum

280 Broome Street

212-431-1619

Opened in 1927 to serve individuals of Greek-Romaniote descent. The Landmark synagogue is the only one of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Open to the Public on Sundays 11am-4pm or call for appointment.
www.kkjsm.org

Ridley's Department Store

319 Grand Street

Once the largest retail establishment in the world, Ridley's was originally located in this building, which has been subdivided into a number of individual stores.

St. Augustine's Episcopal Church

290 Henry Street (between Montgomery and Jackson Streets, two blocks east of Clinton Street)

212-673-5300

Originally constructed by the All Saints Free Church congregation, this landmark Greek revival church was completed in 1828. Above the balcony there are two small "Slave Galleries".
www.staugnyc.org

St. Mary’s Church

440 Grand Street (between Clinton and Pitt Streets)

212-674-3266

St. Mary’s Parish began in 1826 on Sheriff Street. In 1832 the cornerstone was laid for the present Church location. St. Mary's is the third Catholic Church in New York City after St. Peter's and the old St. Patrick's. The Church is open for mass and prayer between 9am and 5pm each day and has services in both English and Spanish. The Church also has a shop of religious articles inside the vestibule.
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