The House on Henry Street

I absolutely love history and I love old houses. This book was right up my alley. This was perfect!!

A remarkable look at the microcosm of the Lower East side culture over the last century. Henry House began as a settlement house, spearheaded by Lillian Weld. The author looks at the progress and challenges facing the center through the decades. The evolution projects the larger history of changes and the transformation of New York City. This book is an important piece of history for culture, immigration, social movements, and social history.

A fascinating look at this iconic Henry Street settlement.I have relatives who long ago lived on the lower east side who tod us many stories about their lives there.This was acwobderf historical look at this building the people the stories the lives that grew there.Highky recommend this book will be giving it as a gift to people whose lives were touched by this area,

What an interesting look at the birth and continual influence of Henry Street Settlement. I honestly had no idea of the existence of this area of New York City, and had even less knowledge of the impact on modern society. Without Lillian Wald, her grit, her determination, and without the backing she initially received from financier/philanthropist Jacob Schiff the world would be a much different place. Lillian created a social change and a haven of environment for lower class citizens, including immigrants and black residents who struggled to make ends meet. She gave them hope, and assistance with day cares, nursing, places to shelter, food, clothing - with her help, they were able to help themselves and improve their lives. As the years passed, Lillian and those who followed fought for some many rights and freedoms for all people - whether they were immigrants, lower class, uneducated; all women, men, children included.

This is a hard book to sit and read in one sitting - it is full of dates, historical figures and events; some I knew, some, I did not. It is informative, rather than entertaining, and not a book I would have picked up to read on my own. I am glad I saw the description and requested a copy to read in advance - it is a book of history, but more, it is a book of the power of human connection and how just one person can set into motion a chain of events that can and will change lives for future generations. It is a book of hard times befalling so many, but how people can rise up and accomplish greatness when given the smallest of opportunities.