Americans and the Holocaust Exhibit

What did the US government and the American people know about the threats posed by Nazi Germany? What responses were possible? And when? 

The Americans and the Holocaust Traveling Exhibit is a condensed version of the Americans and the Holocaust Permanent Exhibit currently located in the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. DGPL is one of 50 U.S. libraries newly selected to host Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition from the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum and the American Library Association (ALA) that examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s.

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, and examines the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped American responses to Nazism, war, and genocide. 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 exhibit hopes to challenge people to not only ask “what would I have done?” but also, “what will I do?”

Americans and the Holocaust was made possible by the generous support of lead sponsor Jeannie & Jonathan Lavine. Additional major funding was provided by the Bildners — Joan & Allen z”l, Elisa Spungen & Rob, Nancy & Jim; and Jane and Daniel Och. The Museum's exhibitions are also supported by the Lester Robbins and Sheila Johnson Robbins Traveling and Special Exhibitions Fund, established in 1990.

The US Holocaust Memorial Museum also provides an online version of the exhibit, where patrons can find personal stories, answers to frequently asked questions, and videos of the exhibits. Patrons can also browse the Museum's extensive digital collection.