We'll uncover a Pre-Harlem World that’s been buried for more than 156 years and reconstruct the forgotten histories of Black migrants in Lower Manhattan in episode 3 of How To Be American.

Imagine that someone came to your house 150 years later: what would they find, what would those found objects say about you; about your way of life? Sometimes it’s the ever-day things you leave behind that tell stories about your past.

Baseball has always had a special place in our nation’s history. But beyond the ballpark there is a grittier version of the game, played in immigrant neighborhoods in cities big and small. This is the story of Stickball's legacy and the impact of children's street games.

How To Be American is the Tenement Museum’s podcast series. In its second season, eight new episodes will tell eight new stories that dig deeper into the tapestry of American immigration, stories of people who shaped American identity by doing everything from creating street games to traveling to outer space. Listen to the season 2 trailer now.

How To Be American has some exciting news! Host Brendan strolls down memory lane, looking back at season 1 and introduces who will continue our journey moving forward...

There’s nothing more American than Coca-Cola, Rock ‘n’ Roll, and comic books. In the final episode of season 1 of How To Be American, we’ll uncover the history of diversity and representation in the panels, and discuss what comics tell us about our shared American identity since the dawn of Marvel, DC, and other comic book creators. 

Listen to the teaser for our sixth and final episode of the first series of How To Be American. Whose your favorite superhero? And why are comics considered a truly American art-form?

Take a look inside the complicated diversity within the heart of two immigrant communities. We’ll begin with Kleindeutschland in the mid-19th century, and then head  into Brooklyn, where we’ll get an inside look at Flatbush and an organization called CaribBeing with its founder, Shelley Worrell.  

In this teaser host Brendan Murphy visits Flatbush, BK, to explore its Caribbean immigrant culture for How To Be American's fifth episode all about how immigrant groups have carved out communities for themselves throughout US history.

How To Be American is taking a break for two weeks! In this short teaser, host Brendan Murphy explores the distinctly American history of the concept of Spring Break!

Hundreds of sewing machines rattle and hiss—explore the industrial soundscape that shaped the American identities of young factory workers in 1911 with composer Julia Wolfe.

Get a sneak preview of Episode 4 of How To Be American, released next Wednesday, all about the transformative power of music on the American identity. 

Voting is a core part of the American identity. Join us as we explore how immigrant women fought to gain the right to vote and are still fighting to get seats at the table.  

Get a sneak preview of the third Episode of How To Be American, exploring the history of women and the long fight for voting rights!

Ever wonder how pizza became New York City’s quintessential street food? Get ready to find out as we unveil pizza’s very own immigration story.    

Get a sneak preview of How To Be American's second episode, all about pizza!

Join our host Brendan Murphy as he explores how two women, one during the 20s and one just a few years ago, navigated the American immigration system and all its pitfalls.