My family has a longstanding relationship with New York City. My Great Grandmother was born in 1918 and raised within the Henry Street Settlement. Her mother passed away soon after she was born, as a result of the influenza. Her grandmother and aunts raised her in a one -bedroom tenement house. The object I have chosen is an apron that her grandmother had passed down to her. She would eventually give this apron to my grandmother right after she got married. Six people shared the tenement apartment. All of them were women who worked and provided for the family themselves. They powered their apartment’s gas lamps and stove with pennies that they had to feed manually in order for them to work. The apron that my Great Grandmother was gifted is hand-made white linen that still looks brand-new. From a very young age family values and responsibility were things that were made very clear to her. Cooking was the way she was best able to express this love.In my family we treasure the time we get to spend together. We have traditional Sunday dinners every weekend. All my family shows up: my sister, aunts, cousins, etc. This was something that has been passed down from my Great Grandmother. She valued the time she spent with her family and tried to instill those values in all of us. The apron represents the meals that have always played a huge role in keeping my family very close.

– Christian Brigati

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more