[3] The building that became Umbrella House was constructed in 1899, under the Old Law Tenement provisions, by architect Michael Bernstein.

As described by Herman Hewitt, who worked for the nonprofit at the time, "We wanted to stop urban renewal, and preserve the existing housing style so we could turn it over to the community.

The film mainly follows Joe Killsright, a Sioux Indian from South Dakota, and documents the struggles of everyday life in NYC that he and his community faces, such as the lack of access to heat, electricity, and health care.

[5] In November 1988,[6] shortly after the Tompkins Square Park Riot,[1] a group of five people broke into the back of the building with a sledgehammer.

[6] The group included Steven Ashmore, a 28 year old art student and go-go dancer.

[7] Early members of the squat included "several powerful women" and "an experienced European squatter."

[3] During the spring of 1989, the building next to Umbrella House was beginning to collapse, and a demolition crew with a wrecking ball arrived on the site.

With the help of a lawyer, the squatters were able to make a deal with the police to stay in the building during the demolition period.

[3] The squat members aimed to issue improvements according to New York City building codes.

Umbrella House residents took their case to court, where a judge ruled in their favor under the law of adverse possession and they were allowed to return to their homes.