United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Why? “Bring to life the brutality of the Holocaust and movingly illustrate the terrible fate of Jews in World War II Nazi Germany.” “Bring to life the brutality of the Holocaust and movingly illustrate the terrible fate of Jews in World War II Nazi Germany.”

Goals “Document, study, and interpret the history of the Holocaust” “Document, study, and interpret the history of the Holocaust” Memorial to millions of Jews killed in Holocaust Memorial to millions of Jews killed in Holocaust Committee on Conscience: Committee on Conscience: genocide research genocide research

The beginning… October ’78 October ’78 President Carter – Holocaust miniseries President Carter – Holocaust miniseries Consults advisors Consults advisors

Result: 60-member commission formed 60-member commission formed Chairman: Elie Wiesel, Chairman: Elie Wiesel, Holocaust survivor Holocaust survivor

Controversy No need for memorial: No need for memorial: U.S. was not involved in the Holocaust U.S. was not involved in the Holocaust vs. “There has to be a place that generates a pulse continuously about these kind of issues [oppression].” - Mark Talisman, founding - Mark Talisman, founding vice-chairman of museum vice-chairman of museum

Plans made… Congress approved project Congress approved project Architect chosen: James Ingo Freed Architect chosen: James Ingo Freed Freed witnessed Kristallnacht as young Freed witnessed Kristallnacht as young boy boy Moved to United States Moved to United States - Studied architecture - Studied architecture - Worked on many notable - Worked on many notable architectural projects architectural projects

Freed’s vision… “The intent of the building is to be a resonator of your own imagery, of your own memory.” “The intent of the building is to be a resonator of your own imagery, of your own memory.”

Freed’s design Visited Auschwitz and designed the museum with institutional concrete – glass, steel, stark, gray Visited Auschwitz and designed the museum with institutional concrete – glass, steel, stark, gray – like a concentration camp – like a concentration camp Hexagon shape – Hexagon shape – like the Jewish star like the Jewish star

Outside vs. Inside Exterior: clean lines, Exterior: clean lines, like nearby buildings like nearby buildings Interior: sometimes Interior: sometimes “claustrophobic,” sometimes “soaringly majestic” to elicit emotional response “claustrophobic,” sometimes “soaringly majestic” to elicit emotional response

Upon entering… Each visitor receives a different card – each card shows a different Jewish person involved in the Holocaust Each visitor receives a different card – each card shows a different Jewish person involved in the Holocaust

Four Floors Trace history of Holocaust 4 th floor – beginning : Early years of Nazi rule Early years of Nazi rule Exclusion of Jews from society Exclusion of Jews from society and buildup to World War II and buildup to World War II

Third Floor “Final Solution” “Final Solution” 1940 – – 1945 Concentration camps, killing centers, ghettos, transport boxcar Concentration camps, killing centers, ghettos, transport boxcar

Second Floor Hall of Remembrance Hall of Remembrance Post-war years: Post-war years: resistance, rescue, liberation resistance, rescue, liberation

First Floor Hall of Witness: Hall of Witness: Testimony of Holocaust survivors Testimony of Holocaust survivors

A reminder of WHY “We must make sure that from now until the end of days all humankind stares this evil in the face…and only then can we be sure it will never arise again.” “We must make sure that from now until the end of days all humankind stares this evil in the face…and only then can we be sure it will never arise again.” - President Ronald Reagan: Remarks at the site of the future United States Holocaust Museum, October 5, 1988 October 5, 1988