Signing a New Lease?

The guided tours of 97 Orchard Street generally focus on the lives of the tenement's residents. But have you ever wondered who owned the building since its completion in 1863? Browse these images from the Tenement Museum's online photo database to learn more about the landords of 97 Orchard.

Nathan Loewy (pictured here with his wife Emily and their daughter in Atlantic City) was the landlord of 97 Orchard Street in 1889.

In 1896, seven years after purchasing 97 Orchard Street, Loewy sold it to his father-in-law, Bernard Drachman, who sold it the following day to his daughter (and Nathan’s wife) Emily Drachman Loewy, pictured here.

Barnet Goldfein owned 97 Orchard Street with his partner, Benjamin Posner, from 1905 to 1906. Here he stands next to his wife Dora Goldfein, circa 1923.

Bertha Rosenblatt, the daughter of Albert and Lena Rosenblatt, stands in costume for Purim (a Jewish holiday celebrated one month before Passover), circa 1915. The Rosenblatts owned 97 Orchard Street between 1907 and 1919.

Gottlieb Helpern and a friend stand on a roof top in 1930. Check out those suits! Helpern undertook ownership of 97 Orchard Street in 1953.

Landlord Gottlieb Helpern stands in front of 96 Orchard Street. Gottlieb was also the landlord of 97 Orchard Street when this photograph was taken circa 1979.

-posted by Amita