Living Conditions in Early 20th Century Tenements

Kira Garcia from the Tenement Museum in NYC discusses the history of a tenement building from 1863 to 1935, highlighting the lives of 7,000 immigrants, including the Canino family. The video covers the evolution of living conditions, the introduction of amenities like gas light and running water, and the impact of the Tenement House Act. Activism by reformers, influenced by Jacob Reese's photographs, led to significant improvements in health and living standards. The program is part of C-SPAN's American Artifacts series.

What year was the historic tenement building constructed?

• 1890

• 1901

• 1863

• 1935

How many immigrants lived in the tenement building between 1863 and 1935?

• 12,000

• 10,000

• 5,000

• 7,000

From which part of the world did the Canino family originate?

• Italy

• Russia

• Poland

• Greece

How many rooms did the Canino family's apartment have?

• Five

• Four

• Three

• Two

What new amenities did the Confino family enjoy in the early 20th century?

• Gas light and running water

• Television and internet

• Electricity and central heating

• Air conditioning and elevators

What was lacking in the tenement building when it was first constructed?

• Stairs and elevators

• Running water and interior light

• Windows and doors

• Heating and cooling systems

What was the Tenement House Act a result of?

• International pressure

• Business investments

• Activism by middle-class reformers

• Government initiative

Who was known for photographing the conditions of tenement living?

• Jacob Riis

• Dorothea Lange

• Lewis Hine

• Ansel Adams

What did the Tenement House Act aim to improve?

• Property values

• Living conditions and health

• Building aesthetics

• Public transportation

Where can viewers find more information about the American Artifacts program?

• pbs.org

• historychannel.com

• c-span.org

• museum.org