N.Y.C. lodging house -- Xmas tree

What does lodging house mean? Daycare, boarding house, orphanage, or something else?

I like how the women are smiling at the children:)

They are sweet!!

Omg! Such cute little faces!

So cute and they do look like dolls. :)

The children look unhappy.looks like a dark and sad place.fake smiles on the women.

Doll babies....

Boarding house, house that rooms are for rent

So, so sweet.

Looks like some kind of orphanage and they are doing the best that they can. Notice no males (fathers to contribute to their wellbeing).

. As a huge surge in German immigration began in the 1840s, it’s not surprising that New York’s first Christmas tree market — in fact, the first mass-market sale of Christmas trees in the United States — came along shortly after, in 1851. This could be A house with rooms that people can rent. Their family worked or carried trees throughout the holidays. Maybe ahouse, lodge or even YMCA lodging. This pic is on the boweryboyshistory.com

They do look like adorable little dolls!!

yes rented rooms........... usually with a communal kitchen or use of the kitchen I think... times were tough and that's all people could do..

Sweet picture.

Yes they do..such a cute group!

Yes

Smiling for photos is a relatively new thing. And what was said above about the length of time the children had to keep still is true. I'm amazed they are standing as still as they are. Also to clarify, the difference between a rooming house and a boarding house is that with a rooming house you rented a room or suite of rooms but did not expect "board" (meals) to be included. A boarding house usually served single males and meals were provided once or twice a day. These were inexpensive lodgings for workers in industrial areas.

Maybe a orphans in a home to be adopted ?