Anne Frank exhibit debuts in NYC for Holocaust Remembrance
The Anne Frank House, in partnership with the Center for Jewish History, unveiled the world premiere of Anne Frank The Exhibition in New York City on Monday, coinciding with International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
The exhibition, housed in over 7,500 square feet of gallery space at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan’s Union Square, features a full-scale recreation of the Secret Annex where Anne Frank, her family, and four others hid during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. The exhibit includes more than 100 original artifacts from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, many of which have never been displayed publicly in the United States.
“This is a remarkable opportunity to bring Anne Frank’s story to a broader audience,” said Ronald Leopold, executive director of the Anne Frank House. “Her legacy continues to resonate today, offering critical lessons about the roots and consequences of antisemitism, racism, and discrimination.”
Visitors can step into a detailed recreation of the annex where Anne Frank wrote her diary while in hiding. The exhibit also traces Anne’s life from her childhood in Frankfurt, through her family’s move to Amsterdam, and ultimately to their arrest and deportation to concentration camps.
Artifacts on display include Anne Frank’s first photo album (1929-1942), a handwritten invitation she sent to a friend in 1942, and verses she wrote in friends’ poetry albums.
Through video, soundscapes, photography, and animation, the exhibit contextualizes the rise of Nazi Germany and the impact of the Holocaust. Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld, president of the Center for Jewish History, emphasized the importance of the exhibition: “Anne Frank’s diary serves as both a warning and a call to action in a time of rising antisemitism. This exhibition challenges visitors to confront hatred and honor the memory of those lost.”
The exhibit is designed to engage younger generations and serves as an educational resource for students and teachers across the United States. Since its announcement, thousands of school groups from across the country have booked visits. Educational support from philanthropic organizations ensures access for students from Title I schools and public schools in New York City.
An accompanying curriculum, developed in collaboration with The Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina, places Anne’s story in the context of rising antisemitism and Nazi ideology. The materials align with Common Core State Standards, encouraging students to explore the historical roots of antisemitism and its relevance today.
“The lessons from Anne’s story are as urgent now as ever,” said Dr. Doyle Stevick, executive director of The Anne Frank Center. “This exhibit equips students with tools to recognize and resist antisemitism, racism, and prejudice in all forms.”
The Anne Frank House, established in 1957 with the support of Anne’s father, Otto Frank, is responsible for preserving the original annex in Amsterdam. Anne’s diary, The Diary of a Young Girl, has been translated into over 70 languages and remains one of the most widely read accounts of the Holocaust.
“This exhibition is an extension of our mission to bring Anne’s story to the world,” said Leopold. “By recreating the annex and sharing these artifacts, we hope to inspire reflection and action against hatred in all its forms.”
Anne Frank The Exhibition will run through April 30, 2025. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The exhibition is closed on Saturdays. General admission tickets start at $21, with discounted rates available for students and families.
