The US Holocaust Memorial Museum is a fascinating museum dedicated to remembering the horrific events of the Holocaust and confronting hatred and genocide worldwide. At this museum, you'll find 9,000 oral accounts from survivors in addition to nearly 13,000 artifacts from the event. More than 200,000 registered survivors and their families are immortalized here. Special exhibitions are also held at the museum, including some that became so popular that they essentially became permanent.
Given the subject matter of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, it may not be entirely appropriate to bring small children, and parental discretion is advised. Adults, on the other hand, can learn all about this world-changing event and discover how modern efforts strive to prevent anything similar from ever happening again. Most visitors spend about 2 or 3 hours here when they take time to examine all the different items on display.
US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC - one of the highlights of 10 Best Historic Things to Do in Washington DC and 10 Best Museums in Washington DC (Read all about Washington here)
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What are the highlights of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC?
When you visit the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, there are some aspects of it that you won't want to miss out on. The Hall of Remembrance is one of the most iconic spots in the museum, as it's the official memorial to the victims and survivors. You can light a candle, see the eternal flame, or simply reflect in the somber hexagonal hall. There is a special exhibition called Daniel's Story that is specifically designed for explaining the Holocaust to children, so that's a place you'll want to visit when traveling with kids.
The general collection at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum is full of art, film, testimonies, books, and pamphlets related to the Holocaust. Personal effects and photos are also on display here, and you can see a replica of a train boxcar designed to mimic the kind the Nazis used to transport their victims.
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A brief history of the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC
The US Holocaust Memorial Museum dates back to 1978 when it was established by President Jimmy Carter as a result of the President's Commission on the Holocaust. The museum wasn't officially greenlit until 1980 by an act of Congress. The vote was unanimous. Groundwork on the museum didn't begin until 1988, however, and it wasn't officially opened until 1993, with the first visitor being the 14th Dalai Lama.
Since the US Holocaust Memorial Museum rightfully demonizes the perpetrators of the genocide, it has become a target of attacks in the past. In 2002, 2 white supremacists were convicted of planning a bombing here, although their plan was never carried out. In 2009, an antisemitic terrorist executed an attack in which a museum police officer was shot. No visitors or other civilians have been injured in any attack at the museum, and security forces are employed for additional safety.
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What else is good to know about the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC?
Before you visit the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, there are a few tips you should keep in mind. Parking at the museum is very limited, as is the case with just about everything on the National Mall, so your best bet would be traveling via the Metro and getting off at the Smithsonian stop. Additionally, there's a pretty intense security screening at the museum, so make sure you travel light and are prepared to have your belongings screened.
The US Holocaust Memorial Museum is kept at a notably low temperature, so you may want to bring a sweater or a jacket. Remember to wear comfortable shoes as well, since a lot of walking is involved. You're free to bring bottled water, but security will make you take a drink in front of them before you're allowed through.
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US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington DC
Location: 100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
Open: Thursday–Tuesday from 10 am to 5.30 pm (closed on Wednesdays)
Phone: +1 202-488-0400
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