Washington D.C.,United States of America
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) is the nation's official institution for the documentation, study, and interpretation of Holocaust history. Located near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the museum serves as a living memorial dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust and a center for research and education on the dangers of unchecked hatred and the necessity of preventing genocide.
The museum's permanent exhibition provides a chronological narrative of the Holocaust through historical artifacts, photographs, film footage, and survivor testimonies. Beyond its exhibition spaces, the institution maintains extensive archival collections and operates the Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, which facilitates global academic research and public policy engagement regarding human rights and atrocity prevention.
Key Facts
- Materials
- Brick, Limestone, Steel, Glass
- Civilization
- United States
- Accessibility
- Fully accessible with elevators and wheelchair-accessible routes
- Date(s)
- 1988-1993
- Condition
- Active
- Original Function
- Holocaust memorial and educational institution
- Key Figures
- James Ingo Freed, Elie Wiesel, Miles Lerman
Establishment and Mandate
1978-1980The museum was established following the recommendations of the President's Commission on the Holocaust, chaired by Elie Wiesel. In 1980, Congress unanimously passed legislation to create the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, tasking it with building a national memorial.
Design and Construction
1988-1993Architect James Ingo Freed designed the building to evoke the somber history of the Holocaust through deliberate architectural choices, such as the use of industrial materials and disorienting spatial transitions. Construction began in 1988, and the museum was officially dedicated on April 22, 1993.
Institutional Evolution
1993-PresentSince its opening, the museum has expanded its scope to include the Committee on Conscience, which monitors and reports on contemporary threats of genocide. It continues to serve as a primary repository for Holocaust-related documentation and a global leader in genocide prevention education.
Cultural Significance
The USHMM occupies a unique position in American civic life, serving as both a site of national mourning and a pedagogical tool for democratic values. It is central to the American understanding of the Holocaust, influencing how the event is taught in schools and remembered in public discourse. By linking the history of the Holocaust to contemporary human rights issues, the museum encourages visitors to reflect on the responsibilities of citizenship in a global society.
Interpretive Notes
Scholarly debates and areas of uncertainty
Debates often center on the museum's role in balancing its dual identity as a memorial and a research institution. Scholars occasionally discuss the tension between the museum's focus on the specific history of the Holocaust and its broader mandate to address contemporary genocides, questioning how these distinct historical narratives should be integrated within a single institutional framework.
Visiting Information
Entry Rules
Admission is free, but timed-entry tickets are required for the permanent exhibition during peak seasons. Visitors must pass through security screening upon entry. Photography is permitted in most areas, though specific restrictions apply to certain temporary exhibitions.
Best Times to Visit
Weekday mornings are generally less crowded. The museum is busiest during spring break and summer months. Visiting during the off-season allows for a more contemplative experience in the permanent exhibition.
Photography
Personal photography is permitted without flash or tripods. Commercial photography requires prior authorization from the museum's communications department.
Nearby POIs
16 shownSources & Further Reading
- [1]The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum: America's National Memorial — Edward T. Linenthal. University of North Carolina Press (1995)View
- [2]The Architecture of Memory: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum — James Ingo Freed. Rizzoli (1993)
Key Facts
- Materials
- Brick, Limestone, Steel, Glass
- Civilization
- United States
- Accessibility
- Fully accessible with elevators and wheelchair-accessible routes