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Anne Frank's Secret Annex Replica Opens in New York City on Holocaust Remembrance Day

Anne Frank's Secret Annex Replica Opens in New York on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

On International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a full-scale replica of the secret annex where Anne Frank wrote her renowned diary opened at the Center for Jewish History in Manhattan. This marks the first time the annex has been completely recreated outside Amsterdam, offering a powerful and immersive way to connect with Anne Frank’s story.

Unlike the original annex in Amsterdam’s Anne Frank House museum, which remains intentionally empty, the New York reconstruction recreates the five rooms as they appeared during the two years the Frank family and others lived in hiding. The exhibit includes furniture, possessions, and a reconstruction of the desk where Anne wrote her famous diary.

A Journey Through History

Ronald Leopold, director of the Anne Frank House, emphasized the importance of this immersive experience, particularly for those unable to visit Amsterdam.

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“We hope to touch people’s hearts here,” Leopold said at the exhibit's opening. “Education starts with empathy — empathy with what happened in Amsterdam during those years, what was done to Anne Frank and countless others.”

The exhibit aims to educate visitors about the Holocaust and spark discussions on discrimination and human rights.

Anne Frank’s Legacy

The Frank family hid in the annex, located above Otto Frank’s office in Amsterdam, during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands in World War II. For two years, they lived in silence and secrecy before being discovered in 1944. They were sent to concentration camps, where Anne and her sister, Margot, died of typhus in Bergen-Belsen in 1945.

Otto Frank, Anne’s father and the only member of the family to survive the Holocaust, later published her diary. The work, written by a 15-year-old girl, is now considered one of the most significant books of the 20th century.

Emotional Reflections

Visitors to the New York exhibit have been deeply moved by the experience. Hannah-Milena Elias, the granddaughter of Anne Frank’s cousin Buddy Elias, described walking through the annex as overwhelming.

“It is quite touching to see what a tiny space the families had to stay in for more than two years,” she said.

Her sister, Leyv-Anouk Elias, urged visitors to reflect on the exhibit's modern-day relevance.

“History, unfortunately, is repeating itself in different ways,” she said. “We have to act against discrimination and injustice to prevent anything like this from happening again.”

A Comprehensive Exhibit

The exhibit spans over 7,500 square feet and features more than 100 photos and artifacts, many of which are being displayed publicly for the first time. Highlights include:

  • Anne Frank’s first photo album.
  • Her handwritten poetry.
  • A replica of her iconic diary.
  • Nearly 80 translated editions of her diary.
  • The Oscar won by Shelley Winters for her role in The Diary of Anne Frank (1959).

Presented chronologically, the exhibit traces the Frank family’s journey from life in Germany during the rise of the Nazi regime to their flight to Amsterdam, life in hiding, and eventual capture.

Lessons for a New Generation

The exhibit has resonated deeply with younger audiences. Henry Byrne, a 16-year-old student at Xavier High School in Manhattan, reflected on the enormity of the Holocaust after visiting the installation.

“It taught me a lot about how just because you see one story, like Anne’s, it’s just one person’s life,” he said. “And there were millions that were lost.”

Continuing Anne Frank’s Mission

The New York exhibit runs through April 30, offering a profound opportunity for reflection and education. By recreating Anne Frank’s story in such detail, the installation aims to foster empathy and understanding, ensuring that her message of hope and resilience continues to inspire future generations.

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