Pictured Above: The Florida Holocaust Museum is at 55 Fifth Street S in downtown St. Petersburg.
Annalise Anderson | The Crow’s Nest
By Annalise Anderson
Wednesday is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, and the Florida Holocaust Museum invites USF students and the Tampa Bay community to explore its exhibits, pore over history and celebrate diversity – free of charge.
“Holocaust Remembrance Day gives us the opportunity to take pause and remember the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and the millions of other victims of the Nazis,” said Erin Blankenship, the museum’s deputy director. “It also gives us the opportunity to recommit ourselves to speaking out against antisemitism, racism and other forms of hatred wherever it occurs.”
The museum has reopened to the public with four new exhibitions in addition to its wealth of artifacts.
“Let Me Be Myself: The Life Story of Anne Frank” tells the story of Holocaust victim Anne Frank, known for journaling her experience as a Jewish youth living under Nazi regime. The exhibit aims to tell her story in a modern light, addressing issues of identity, exclusion and discrimination that remain present in today’s society.
Annalise Anderson | The Crow’s Nest
“Justice, Justice You Shall Pursue: The Art and Propaganda of Arthur Szyk,” presents immaculate paintings and drawings created by Polish-Jewish artist Arthur Szyk during the 20th century. Szyk’s work illustrates Jewish themes, Polish history and ideals of the United States.
Paintings by Polish artist and Holocaust survivor, Samuel Bak, are also on display. The museum describes Bak’s work as depictions of “a world destroyed, and yet provisionally pieced back together” that “preserves memory of the twentieth-century ruination of Jewish life and culture.”
“Pursuing Justice: Nuremberg’s Legacy,” explores the Nuremberg Trials held from 1945 to 1949 that led to the prosecution of Nazi war criminals after World War II.
All four exhibits will be on view until June 30.
Blankenship believes there is still something to be learned from the tragic moment in modern history.
“The history of the Holocaust and the stories of its victims and survivors are more relevant than ever,” Blankenship said. “Through learning about the Holocaust, our visitors learn about the dangers of prejudice and discrimination and the importance of resilience and resistance. Our hope is that a visit to The Florida Holocaust Museum also spurs dialog and that our visitors leave empowered to make positive changes in their communities.”
The Florida Holocaust Museum is one of the largest in the country and was established in 1992 by St. Petersburg resident Walter P. Loebenberg, who escaped Nazi Germany in 1939 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II.
The museum’s website states, “We must challenge and educate those who promote hatred and intolerance. The vision of The Florida Holocaust Museum is a future in which peace and harmony are a reality in our neighborhoods, in our nation and in our world.”
In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the museum is granting free admission to all visitors this Wednesday.
The Florida Holocaust Museum is open Friday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets must be purchased in advance online. Admission is $16 for adults and $10 for college students; USF students with ID receive free admission.
Visitors must wear face masks and maintain social distance while inside the museum. Temperature checks, sanitizing stations and other safety measures have also been implemented.
The museum offers virtual tours for those who are not able to visit the museum in-person. Visit the website for more information.
