DC Like a Local

Having already discussed my philosophical underpinnings of a visit to the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, let's talk a little bit about what's there to see.

There's always some confusion about tickets to the Museum. We'll talk more about when and how to get tickets tomorrow, but for now let me emphasize that tickets are not for access to the building, they are for the Permanent Exhibit only. The Permanent Exhibit is the comprehensive exhibit covering the Holocaust, from it's roots in post-war Germany, through the liberation of the camps and the aftermath. It starts on the fourth floor, with visitors handed an identification card and herded into a very industrial feeling elevator. A short into film later, you're dumped into a cramped exhibit hall, pushing through with the crowd to see the early exhibits concerning the rise of Nazi Germany. You are meant to feel frustrated, dislocated, harried; I still do after dozens of trips. Absorb it, and move on. As mentioned before, you're not going to see everything, so I often encourage folks to skim in the beginning and spend more of your time further on. It's easy to get dislocated through the exhibit, so remember a couple of items. You will see three floors, so remember which floor you are on, and the box car used to carry Jews to the camps is roughly at the halfway mark. A final note, the Permanent Exhibit is officially known as The Holocaust, but no one ever calls it that.

Only exit the exhibit when you are sure you are done, as no reentry is permitted. At this point, if you need to reflect, and you  really should if you've done it properly, you may visit the Hall of Remembrance. This is a solemn, contemplative space where you may sit and think things over if you need the chance. And yes, to answer the question from last week, this is where the only eternal flame I know of in Washington, DC is.

Now, bringing children into a Museum such as this is a decision only parents can make. I routinely take middle schoolers here and have reactions varying from bored indifference (honestly!) to crushing grief. You know your kids and what they are ready for. Most importantly, if you choose to come here, prepare by reading ahead and discussing it (good advice for all of DC!). At the Permanent Exhibit, the more stark and graphic exhibits are generally behind screens or out of the way, to allow younger visitors and their parents to bypass them. I also recommend Daniel's Story, a "temporary" exhibit on display from 1993 that views the Holocaust through the eyes of a prototypical young Jewish boy. It's appropriate and crafted for young teenagers, and maybe even a little below that in my opinion. Daniel's Story is on the ground level, and many groups only visit this exhibit.

Finally, there are two exhibits in the basement level that are worthy of attention. They hold a rotating series of temporary exhibits and highlight specific lesser told stories of the Holocaust as well as discussions of other genocides. A Dangerous Lie: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a discussion of one of the most pernicious anti-semetic tales has been on display for some time. Additionally, I highly recommend State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda, which can help to begin to answer one of the most common questions about the Holocaust: "How could so many people allow this to happen?". It's also particularly good when you missed similar sections in the crowded first portion of the Permanent Exhibit. We'll post updates when new exhibits come.

Hopefully, this is enough to fill your time at the Holocaust Memorial Museum. Join us tomorrow when we handle all those pesky little logistical details like tickets, how to get in, where to eat, bathrooms, and so on.