United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Title

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

Description

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum serves as a memorial to the thousands of people murdered during the Holocaust, and to teach about the need to prevent genocide worldwide. Suggested by the President’s Commission on the Holocaust in 1979, the act to create the museum was unanimously approved by Congress in 1980. Some citizens objected by questioning why a museum remembering the European Holocaust had a place on the National Mall. During construction, workers buried two cans containing pledges of remembrance by Holocaust survivors in the ground under the Hall of Remembrance. In addition to the permanent exhibition tracing the history of the Holocaust, the museum has special exhibits focusing on specific experiences and modern genocides.

Source

US Holocaust Memorial Museum Archive. View original.

Date

1993 (opened)

Coverage

Physical Description

The design of the USHMM is meant to evoke the architecture of Holocaust sites. Though not referencing any location specifically, the architecture and building materials give the look and feel of Holocaust camps and ghettos. In this way the building is itself an exhibit space, connecting to the messages and artifacts within.

Location

100 15th St, SW, Washington, DC

Type

Description

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum serves as a memorial to the thousands of people murdered during the Holocaust, and to teach about the need to prevent genocide worldwide. Suggested by the President’s Commission on the Holocaust in 1979, the act to create the museum was unanimously approved by Congress in 1980. Some citizens objected by questioning why a museum remembering the European Holocaust had a place on the National Mall. During construction, workers buried two cans containing pledges of remembrance by Holocaust survivors in the ground under the Hall of Remembrance. In addition to the permanent exhibition tracing the history of the Holocaust, the museum has special exhibits focusing on specific experiences and modern genocides.

Creator

James Ingo Freed

Date

1993 (opened)

Coverage

1980-1999

Source

US Holocaust Memorial Museum Archive. View original.

Geolocation