I discovered this floor plate from a door bolt of what I assume were French or double doors once installed in my apartment many years ago. I live in a five floor walk-up tenement building in the East Village in Manhattan that was built over 120 years ago. My apartment is one of the few that has not been renovated for decades and still contains many of the original architectural elements, like transoms and built-in, glass fronted kitchen cabinets. I had engaged in some of my own renovating about twenty years ago, I've been living here for over thirty, and made an arch way out of the wall separating the bedroom from the living room. From the looks of the floor and the bolt plate that remains there was a doorway here before. My grandparents all emigrated from Northern Europe, lived for a brief time in NYC and then moved to the suburbs. I grew up in the suburbs and at 18 years old, seeking a better future for myself, emigrated back to NYC. So, as tenement apartments in the past have been divided up to suit a families needs so too did I alter my living space to suit the needs of my family. So while it is not an object that was passed down from my family it is a reminder of where I came from and where I am now living.

– Ken Nintzel

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant