Table of Contents
Introduction
The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam is one of the most powerful and iconic museums in the world. Dedicated to the young Jewish diarist who hid from the Nazis during World War II, this historic site draws over 1 million visitors annually. Beyond being a popular tourist attraction, the Anne Frank House serves as a poignant reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust. By exploring the secret annex where Anne and seven others lived in hiding, visitors can get a sense of her daily struggles and the claustrophobic realities of life in confinement. This museum offers an immersive historical experience that sheds light on a turbulent period while imparting critical lessons about the dangers of prejudice. For those interested in World War II, Jewish history, and human rights issues, a trip to the Anne Frank House is a deeply moving must.
Background on Anne Frank and Her Family
Born in 1929 in Frankfurt, Anne Frank was the second daughter of Otto and Edith Frank. The Franks, prominent German Jews, relocated to Amsterdam in 1933 after the Nazis rose to power. Anne spent most of her early childhood in the Netherlands, where she attended school and enjoyed the company of friends. However, the occupation of the Netherlands by Nazi forces in 1940 radically altered the rights and freedoms of Dutch Jews. As antisemitic laws were enacted, Anne was forced to switch to a segregated Jewish school. In July 1942, Anne’s sister Margot received notice to report to a work camp in Germany. Knowing this likely meant deportation to a death camp, the Frank family went into hiding.
The Secret Annex
The History of the Building
The Frank family’s hiding place was located in a secret annex at the back of Otto Frank’s company building on Prinsengracht 263. Originally built as a residential structure in the 17th century, the canal-facing building was later renovated to accommodate businesses. The annex was discreetly walled off and concealed behind a movable bookcase. In 1930, Otto Frank started using the building as the Dutch headquarters of Opekta, his spice and pectin company. Little did he know that over a decade later, the annex would shelter his family from unimaginable dangers.
Life for the Families in Hiding
The hidden annex was small and sparse, with an unfurnished bathroom and no running water. The upstairs had a narrow, winding staircase leading to a few tiny rooms. At first, it housed just the four Franks – Anne, Margot, Otto, and Edith. A few months later, they were joined by four other Jews seeking refuge: the van Pelses and a dentist named Fritz Pfeffer. Anne and Margot shared a room, while everyone else had cramped quarters. Boredom and stress were daily struggles, as they had to tread softly, speak quietly, and avoid using plumbing or moving during business hours. Food and supplies were scarce too. Anne passed time by reading and keeping a diary she’d received for her 13th birthday.
The Famous Diary
While in hiding, Anne penned her experiences and innermost thoughts in her red checkered diary. She wrote extensive entries describing daily events, emotions, musings on life, and hopes for the future. Candid and poignant, Anne’s writing vividly captured the claustrophobic realities of life concealed in an attic. The diary became a treasured repository for her creativity and intellect. Though Anne could only dream of being a published author, her diary would later be read by millions worldwide.
The Discovery and Arrest
In August 1944, after 25 months in hiding, the annex residents were anonymously betrayed and arrested. There are several theories about who turned them in. The families were sent to Auschwitz, where Edith died of starvation and illness. Anne and Margot were later transported to Bergen-Belsen. Ravaged by deprivation at the camp, both sisters tragically died of typhus in March 1945, just weeks before the liberation. Of the eight people who hid in the annex, only Otto Frank survived. When he returned to Amsterdam, Miep Gies, one of the annex helpers, gave him Anne’s diary.
Preserving Anne’s Legacy
Turning the Hiding Place Into a Museum
After the war, Otto decided to fulfill Anne’s aspiration to become a writer. He organized her diary with the intention of publishing it. In 1947, the first Dutch edition was released, titled “Het Achterhuis” (“The Secret Annex”). The book found success in Europe and America. As interest grew, Otto fought to preserve the Prinsengracht building as a testament to victims of racial persecution. In 1957, with help from prominent institutions like the Anne Frank Foundation, the hiding place was converted into a museum. It opened on May 3, 1960 marking what would have been Anne’s 31st birthday.
Educating Visitors
The Anne Frank House museum was designed to educate the public about the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism. Walking through the Secret Annex, visitors get a firsthand look at the rooms where eight Jews survived for over two years. Otto chose not to restore the annex to its wartime state, instead keeping it empty and unfurnished. This allowed people to imagine how life was for the confined families, visualizing Anne’s tiny bedroom and the bookcase entrance. The museum also has insightful exhibits about wartime Amsterdam, the rise of Nazism, and the extermination camps. Otto hoped Anne’s story would inspire tolerance, human rights, and peace.
Promoting Tolerance and Human Rights
Otto Frank was committed to nurturing the ideals of equality and social justice that his daughter Anne believed in. The museum promotes respect, understanding, and peaceful coexistence between disparate groups. It confronts painful history and counters denial about the realities of the Holocaust. In the decades since its founding, the Anne Frank House has highlighted issues like refugee crises, genocide, and contemporary antisemitism. Through outreach and educational programs, the museum advocates for the protection of human rights worldwide.
Visiting the Museum Today
The Bookcase Entrance
Walking through the front entrance of the museum, visitors are led through a series of moving exhibits up to the famous hidden bookcase. Small panels show snippets of Anne’s diary describing the opening mechanism. Moving the bookcase and stepping through, one enters the annex where the Frank and van Pelses families lived. Nothing prepares you for the moment of transition from the museum into the cramped hiding space. More diary excerpts cover the walls, vividly narrating the last years of Anne’s life.
Viewing the Secret Annex
Stepping into the Secret Annex is a powerful and emotional experience. While the rooms are mostly empty, the spaces feel haunted by the ghostly presence of their former inhabitants. Standing in Anne’s tiny bedroom, gazing at the postcards and movie star cutouts she pasted on the wall, one can imagine her longing and isolation. Peering out the attic window, a view that was Anne’s only glimpse of the outside world, brings home the claustrophobic oppression she endured. Photos, maps, and diary pages teach visitors about the annex residents and their daily routines. The visit leaves a profound impact.
Exhibits and Artifacts
Other museum exhibits showcase artifacts from the annex along with photos, videos, and timelines. Otto Frank’s office and Miep Gies’ resistance work are highlighted. Background is provided on the Nazi rise to power, the antisemitic laws in Amsterdam, and the deportations of Jews. Chilling details are revealed about the arrests and deportations to Auschwitz-Birkenau. The randomness of survival is seen by learning some stories of families that hid with the Franks but died in camps. An enormous photo wall displays hundreds of the 1.5 million murdered children, representing all victims.
Impact on Amsterdam
Tourist Destination
The Anne Frank House quickly became one of Amsterdam’s most visited sites, drawing pilgrims interested in World War II and the Holocaust. Lines frequently stretch around the block. In spite of its solemn background, or perhaps because of it, the museum has greatly increased the city’s tourism. The Anne Frank tree near the annex, where she gazed out, also draws crowds. Visitors descend on surrounding sites connected to Anne’s life, like the Jewish Lyceum she attended. Souvenir shops sell copies of her diary and related books. The museum continues to have an enormous impact, exposing millions to Anne’s life and legacy.
Symbol of Holocaust Remembrance
As a landmark of Amsterdam, the Anne Frank House keeps alive the memory of the Holocaust. While some residents complained of privacy issues, Otto prevailed in preserving the annex for the public. Most locals now view the museum with pride, appreciating its powerful message. Flowers and tributes are continually laid at the building in Anne’s honor. The diary’s first line, “I hope I will be able to confide everything to you,” is engraved outside in Dutch and English. The museum has become the city’s symbol of endurance and hope, reminding the world to heed Anne’s inspirational words: “In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
Continuing Anne’s Message
Teaching About Dangers of Antisemitism and Prejudice
Anne Frank’s story gives a relatable face to the victims of Nazi hatred and intolerance. Visitors gain insight into how discrimination slowly deprived Jews of rights and humanity. The museum uses her experience to elucidate the slippery slope from bias to violence. Examining how a culturally-rich country like the Netherlands descended into fear and tyranny under occupation holds potent warnings. By promoting equality, resisting prejudice, and protecting minorities, the museum aims to foster a society that Anne could thrive in.
Inspiring Youth Activism and Humanitarianism
Anne’s ideals have motivated youth worldwide to combat injustice. The Anne Frank Youth Network connects young leaders seeking social change. The Anne Frank House also pairs global schools to stimulate intercultural education. Otto Frank, touched by Anne’s passion and promise, advocated in her name till his death in 1980. He pioneered outreach programs for students, hoping her legacy would inspire generations. The museum continues Otto’s vision, awarding an annual youth prize to teens advancing human rights. Through fostering youth activism, the Anne Frank House ensures new voices carry forth her unfinished message. Anne’s courageous spirit survives.
Conclusion
The Anne Frank House stands as so much more than a tourist site. Beyond memorializing Anne’s life and the Secret Annex, it imparts vital lessons on the dangerous power of intolerance. This stirring museum and historic landmark embodies the human capacity for resilience and hope, even in times of hatred. Visiting the Anne Frank House is a moving, meditative experience that both educates and inspires visitors to build a future guided by respect and human rights. For those who believe in Anne’s ideals, preserving her legacy and heeding the museum’s urgent message is imperative. Though evil cut her life tragically short, Anne Frank remains a poet, a visionary, a voice of moral clarity – one whose words will reverberate for all time.
FAQs
Who betrayed the people hiding in the Secret Annex?
The identity of the person who informed the authorities about the annex residents remains unknown. The most likely suspect was Willem van Maaren, a warehouse employee who was suspicious of the occupants.
How much of the original annex remains intact today?
Sadly, little of the original structure and furnishings have survived. Nearly everything was stripped after the arrest. Otto Frank opted to leave the annex rooms mostly empty to allow visitors to imagine conditions there.
How many visitors does the Anne Frank House get annually?
The museum draws over 1 million visitors per year, with upwards of 1.3 million in peak years. Advance tickets are recommended to avoid long lines.
What is the museum’s main objective?
Beyond memorializing Anne Frank, the museum’s core mission is educating the public about the dangers of antisemitism and the importance of protecting human rights.
How can I support the Anne Frank House’s humanitarian efforts?
Donations, volunteer work, student outreach programs, and sharing Anne’s story all help further the museum’s human rights mission. Visiting the museum and heeding its message are also meaningful ways to honor her legacy.