The New York City Labor History Map began as a joint project between the Tamiment Library and Robert F. Wagner Labor Archives and the New York Labor History Association (NYLHA). The original map was created using Google Maps by a former Tamiment staff member. This map is no longer accessible on the web but textual information was saved offline, allowing for future updates. This digital project included fact checking the old map’s existing information points and locations and finding photographs to help visualize the corresponding historical events. Photographs from the Tamiment Library’s archival collections and the public domain are used.
The map documents the history of working people in New York City and their struggles to gain concessions such as the eight-hour work day, better pay, improved working conditions, decent and affordable housing, collective bargaining rights, healthcare, and pension plans. It also documents important aspects of the city’s political and social history, major union leaders and contributors, and their work to better conditions for workers. The map was created to be used as an alternative teaching tool.
The map uses ESRI ArcGIS software and is broken into seven sections including: strikes and boycotts, founding and headquarters, residences, newspaper or press locations, labor housing, arts and education, and iconic New York landmarks. Users can move between tabs to look at one section or look at all points together on the all-tab section. The map primarily focuses on 20th century events but also includes points from 1712 to 2003. Creating a digital map allows for future updates and additions, making the map an ongoing flexible project ripe for growth. This project’s purpose was to make this resource available digitally and to create an accompanying exhibit on the AFL-CIO to better contextualize the map.