Most New Yorkers can tell stories about the labor history and social history of the garment industry, but few have ever looked at the buildings that were the stage for the rich history. This tour will examine the loft buildings where most of the clothing worn by American women was manufactured between the early 19th century and the 1960s. We will examine the early lofts near Fifth Avenue and then explore the streets of the Seventh Avenue Garment District, the largest collection of skyscraper factories in the world.

Tour leader, Professor Andrew Dolkart, is writing a book on the architecture and development of New York’s Garment Districts.

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