Chinatown: Garment Workers Uprising Tour

Walking Tour Commemorating the 40th Anniversary of the Uprising of 20,000 Garment Workers in New York’s Chinatown

Overview:

Get to explore Chinatown in a truly unique way as you learn about the uprising that changed labor in the USA and change the city forever.

Cost: $80

Gift Certificates:

Give an experience they’ll remember! All tours are available as gift certificates. Get your gift certificate here.

Private Tours:

20,000 Chinese immigrant women workers in hundreds of garment factories in Manhattan’s Chinatown went out on strike in 1982, revived the International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union (ILGWU) and turned the tide of sweatshop labor for a generation. Members of ILGWU Local 23-25 led the strike, just as their Jewish and Italian sisters had seventy years earlier. Labor Arts and People’s Heritage Tours are conducting a walking tour to commemorate that moment in which yet another group of young immigrant women defied the low expectations of male union leaders and manufacturers to organize and fight against the conditions under which they were forced to work.

People’s Heritage Tours offers a unique historical look at New York City, uncovering forgotten movements and people who changed the way we live. Architecture, monuments, parks, and avenues are reanimated as we tell the stories of the men and women who made the city and country what they are.

Meeting Location

Location:
2 Division Street, New York, NY 10002: Statue of Confucius, located at Confucius Plaza, corner of The Bowery.

Get there by Subway:
Take the F train to East Broadway, walk 8 minutes west; or take the 4,5,6, J, or Z train to Chambers Street, walk 10 minutes east.

FAQ

What are the health and safety protocols?
People’s Heritage Tour guides will follow all traffic and pedestrian laws. We also adhere to Centers for Disease Control guidelines regarding respiratory illnesses. This tour takes place entirely outside, minimizing the risk of transmission. We encourage you to wear a mask at all times. In either case, we suggest bringing a mask to wear if you are taking public transportation, or if you intend to enter a restaurant, hotel, or retail shop.

Who are the guides?
People’s Heritage Tours are guided by experts, active scholars, and university professors. They have a passion for the history and a deep base of knowledge to answer questions and discuss topics that come up during the tour.

How long are the tours?
Tour times vary. Private and group tours may be tailored to a desired length. A typical length for a public tour is about two hours, walking about two miles, at a leisurely pace, stopping at various sites along the way.

How will I meet my guide?
Your guide will be at the appointed starting point and time, sporting a headset and New York City guide’s license. You can also call or text the guide at: 718-419-2285.

What if I am late?
Tours begin on time. Most guides spend about fifteen minutes at the meeting point with introductions and giving an overview of the tour. If you are later than that, you can catch up with the group on the tour route. It is best to call and to text so we can look out for you.

What happens during inclement weather?
The tour will operate rain or shine. If local authorities predict severe weather, we will cancel the tour and issue vouchers for another day or a full refund, whichever customers prefer.

May I cancel?
You may cancel for any reason up to 24 hours before a tour and receive a full refund or a gift card in the same amount to be used for any tour we offer.

Do you accept tips?
We understand that some people are able to pay more than others. You should not feel compelled to tip, but we are very grateful if you do. We also appreciate heartfelt thanks at the end of the tour, a positive review, and additional donations to our non-profit partners.

Where can I find restrooms?
Clean and comfortable restrooms are available in most hotel lobbies. The Standard on Cooper Square is near the beginning of the Triangle Fire tour. The Hyatt Union Square is on Fourth Avenue at the end of the tour.

What should I wear?
Dress for comfort and the weather. At minimum, we recommend sneakers or good sturdy walking shoes, an umbrella or rain poncho just in case, a brimmed hat, and a lightweight day pack to carry an extra sweater or gloves.

Helpful Links

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Tour

Walking Tour Commemorating the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire of 1911 that killed 146 people and sparked a movement that has rung through time.

PHT tells forgotten stories of everyday people who came together against tremendous odds to make changes which impact all of us today. We partner with community-based organizations that continue that legacy in New York City with a portion of every ticket going to our partner organizations.

Women, immigrants, youth, people of color, queer people, artists, intellectuals and working people all have histories of standing up against oppression, and building institutions and movements that made improvements for others as well. We walk the streets to animate those stories and reveal the evidence of historic events and social movements sitting in plain sight.

Meeting Location

FAQ

Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire Tour

Quick Links

Reach Out Directly

Quick Links

Reach Out Directly