Americans and the Holocaust Exhibit

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) and the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office present Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition that examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s. The Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibition addresses important themes in American history, including Americans’ responses to refugees, war and genocide in the 1930s and ‘40s. This exhibition will challenge the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded. 

Drawing on a remarkable collection of primary sources from the 1930s and ‘40s, the exhibition focuses on the stories of individuals and groups of Americans who took action in response to Nazism. It will challenge visitors to consider the responsibilities and obstacles faced by individuals — from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to ordinary Americans — who made difficult choices, sought to effect change, and, in a few cases, took significant risks to help victims of Nazism even as rescue never became a government priority. The USHMM and ALA PPO hope to challenge people to not only ask “what would I have done?” but also, “what will I do?”

The exhibit will be closed on Monday, January 16, 2023. 

Guided Tours Available:

• Thurs., Jan. 5, 2023: 3:00pm-7:00pm
• Sat., Jan. 7, 2023: 11:00am-Noon
• Sat., Jan. 14, 2023: 11:00am-Noon
• Tues., Jan. 17, 2023: 5:30-6:30pm
• Sat., Jan. 21, 2023: 11:00am-Noon
• Sat., Jan. 28, 2023: 11:00am-Noon
• Sat., Feb. 4, 2023: 11:00am-Noon
• Sun., Feb. 5, 2023: 2:00-3:00pm
• Sat., Feb. 11, 2023: 11:00am-Noon

Self-guided tours in English & Spanish are available in paper and audio near the exhibit. Guests are welcome to view the exhibit when the library is open.