My Great Grandfather, Benjamin Snyder immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1907. After exploring various industrial cities in Connecticut he eventually settled in Washington Heights. He was a skilled painter and made a living working with contractors. The world of small contractors was a world of hard work and broken promises, leaving the him often unemployed and penniless. When my Grandfather, Max Snyder came of age it was assumed that he would work in contracting with his father. This hammer was used by Great Grandfather, my Grandfather and it is now used my own father. My Grandfather and Great Grandfather used this hammer for both professional and personal purposes.  When used for enjoyment, this hammer allowed my relatives to claim possession of their own sense of personhood. The hammer gave them a way to employ their tradesmen sills outside of the power structures of their jobs. My grandfather also carried this hammer around New York City just in case someone “tried to mess with him.” While this hammer was never officially used in the name of self defense, its wide range of purposes reveals the challenges my family faced after immigrating and the resourceful-ness they exhibited to overcome those challenges and build a life for themselves in America. 

– Allison Snyder

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