It's hot out, you say?

Curious to know how tenement dwellers dealt with the soaring summer temperatures? Check out some images from the museum's photo database to find out how residents attempted to beat the heat.

1. To get some fresh air, families ventured to tenement rooftops to sleep.



2. Ventilation before the days of central air and electric fans. This air shaft is still the primary cooling system at 97 Orchard Street.



3. The water stream from fire hydrants provided some relief for children playing on the streets of the Lower East Side.



4. While adults attempted to cool off outdoors.