IV. Select List of Museums and Educational Experiences About the Holocaust

Seeing and touching the real places, hearing the true stories, seeing the real artifacts can teach more than a book ever could.  But how and when should one approach this with a child? 

Experts agree that while elementary school can be an ideal place to begin discussing the value of diversity and the danger of bias and prejudice generally, “students in grades six and above (about age 12) demonstrate the ability to empathize with individual eyewitness accounts and can attempt to understand the complexities of Holocaust History including the scale and scope of the events.”

Yad Vashem itself is closed to children under the age of 10, with most Israeli school children visiting in 8th grade (roughly age 14). The United States Holocaust Museum proper is generally recommended for children aged 12, and older. 

Some of the most graphic and powerful spaces such as the camps themselves are only open to teenagers. 

Ultimately each parent knows their child/ren best. Before visiting any museum, it's advisable to check their official websites or contact the museum directly for specific guidance on age-appropriate exhibits, educational resources, and any recommendations they might have for visiting with children. Some museums offer guided tours or educational materials tailored for younger audiences.

When planning a visit to any of these sites with children, it is also recommended to prepare them beforehand, provide context during the visit, and discuss their thoughts and feelings afterward. This can help them process the information and understand the significance of the Holocaust in a sensitive and age-appropriate manner. 

This well-written article provides a world-wide listing of Holocaust Museums and Monuments in addition to important tips about gauging age-appropriateness and planning a visit. https://travelingwithpurpose.com/10-important-tips-for-visiting-holocaust-museums-and-memorial-sites/

Austria

  • Jewish Museum Vienna – Vienna - This museum showcases the history and culture of Jewish Austrians, including during the Holocaust period. It has interactive exhibits and family-friendly activities. Suitable for children 8+, with special programs and tours available for families. It provides a broader historical context, connecting Jewish life in Austria before, during, and after the Holocaust. < https://www.jmw.at/en/visit>

  • House of Austrian History (Haus der Geschichte Österreich), Vienna - Austria's first museum dedicated to contemporary history, including the Holocaust.  Provides a broader historical context, with exhibits on Austrian history from the end of World War I to the present. Suitable for children 12+, it has interactive displays that make history accessible to younger audiences. < https://hdgoe.at/>

  • Document Archive of the Austrian Resistance (DÖW) -Vienna This archive and museum focus on Austrian resistance against Nazism and the Holocaust. It includes documents, photographs, and exhibits. Suitable for children 14+, as the material can be complex and requires some historical background. Highlights the stories of resistance and bravery, which can be inspiring for young visitors.< https://www.doew.at/english>

  • Mauthausen Memorial – Mauthausen -This former concentration camp is now a memorial site. It includes a museum with exhibits on the history of the camp and the experiences of its prisoners. Best suited for older children (14+). The content can be intense, so it's important to prepare children in advance and provide context. Offers a comprehensive understanding of the Holocaust through artifacts, photos, and survivor testimonies. < https://www.mauthausen-memorial.org/en>

  • Alpine Peace Crossing – Krimml – Founded in 2007, the Alpine Peace Crossing (APC) is an independent, non-profit Austrian organization that organizes and commemorates the escape of thousands of Jewish refugees in 1947, through a yearly hike in Salzburg’s Krimml. The hike leads through high alpine terrain up to an altitude of 2,634 m. crossing the Krimmler Tauern and hiking to Kasern in South Tyrol/Alto Adige. The pure walking time is approx. 8 hours. Appropriate physical condition is required. At the time of this writing, two shorter, less strenuous, out and back variants are possible which avoid crossing the pass. <https://alpinepeacecrossing.org/>

England

  • Holocaust Educational Trust – London, England

    The Holocaust Education Trust is a registered charity in England, Wales, and in Scotland. It is devoted to ensuring that people from every background are educated about the Holocaust and the important lessons to be learned for today. It educates students and teachers, provides a forum for survivors and seeks to inspire future generations to speak out about intolerance. Among many other things, its site lists the major Holocaust education centers throughout the United Kingdom. <https://www.het.org.uk/education>

Germany

  • Anne Frank Zentrum, Berlin: The Anne Frank Zentrum is the German partner organization of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. The Centre reminds visitors of Anne Frank and her diary with exhibitions and an array of educational programs. It facilitates learning opportunities in which children and young people can examine history and link it to the world in which they live today. Suitable for children around 9 years old and up, depending on their maturity and understanding. Tickets are free for those 10 and under, the Museum often includes educational programs and exhibits that are accessible to younger audiences. < https://www.annefrank.de/en/exhibition-berlin/your-visit#/>

  • Jewish Museum Berlin  Opened to the public in 2001, this Museum exhibits the social, political and cultural history of Jewish Germans from the fourth century to the present, explicitly presenting and integrating, for the first time in postwar Germany, the repercussions of the Holocaust. Recommended for children around 10 years old and above. https://www.jmberlin.de/en

  • Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site, near Munich: This memorial site includes a museum with exhibits about the history and daily life of the camp, providing a sobering but educational experience. The content is more suitable for older children who can understand the gravity of the subject matter. Generally recommended for teenagers and older children (13 years and up).

  • Topography of Terror (Topographie des Terrors), Berlin: Founded by the Berlin Senate, the purpose of the Topography of Terror Foundation is to relay historical information about National Socialism and its crimes and to encourage people to actively confront this history and its aftermath since 1945.  Suitable for teenagers (generally 14 years and up), this museum focuses on the history of Nazi repression and terror, including exhibits on the Holocaust. <https://www.topographie.de/en/foundation>

Israel

Netherlands

Poland

United States

  • United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) - Washington, D.C., USA

    The USHMM offers a variety of resources specifically designed for children and educators. The main museum is generally recommended for children ages 12 and above but it also has an exhibit called "Remember the Children: Daniel's Story," which is tailored for children aged 8 and older. Its multimedia approach was designed to provide late-elementary school students an introduction to this history rather than an in-depth examination. <https://www.ushmm.org/>

  • The Zekelman Holocaust Memorial Center - Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA Founded in 1984, The Zekelman Holocaust Center is a dynamic institution that features a newly renovated Holocaust museum, research and library archive, special exhibit galleries, educational workshops, and public programming. Content focuses on Holocaust victims’ and survivors’ personal stories to help visitors understand how the Holocaust could have happened. The site includes a moving blog series featuring among other things, survivor stories. It also offers the "Butterfly Project," which is designed for children and aims to commemorate the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust. They provide educational tours and resources tailored to different age groups, including content appropriate for younger audiences. < https://holocaustcenter.org/>