Late 19th Century New York City

New York during the late 19th century was slowly developing into a manufacturing center. The presence of numerous waterways allowed for the creation of several ports around the island of Manhattan. This helped the manufacturing industry survive and New York soon became a vibrant city for movement and trade.

However, the growth in the manufacturing created a vast spectrum of economic status in late 19th century society. On one hand, there were immigrants who worked at the docks and clothing shops and living in poorly maintained tenements in several parts of the city. On the other hand, the growth in business created a wealthy upper class who lived uptown as well as some places downtown. Some of the buildings from the upper class society that have survived till today include the Merchant’s House Museum and Teddy Roosevelt Birthplace.

Nevertheless, the wealthy upper class society were instrumental in creating several cultural institutions and museums around this city during this time period. At the aftermath of a violent mid 19th century New York, several rich citizens joined together and created The American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art etc., to portray the culture in the city and educate the public.