United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA

Address:	100 Raoul Wallenberg Pl SW, Washington, DC 20024, USA
Phone:	+1 202-488-0400
Site:	ushmm.org
Rating:	4.6
Working:	10AM–5:15PM 10AM–5:15PM 10AM–5:15PM 10AM–5:15PM 10AM–5:15PM 10AM–5:15PM 10AM–5:15PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Andrew D.

Поодаль от основного ансамбля смитсоновских музеев стоит не особо приметное здание. Неожиданно за его дверями скрывается один из самых захватывающих музеев, которые можно посетить в Вашингтоне - музей Холокоста. Войдя внутрь, ты наталкиваешься на две картотеки с подписями "Мужчины" и Женщины". Случайная карточка, которую ты берешь с собой - это целая история одного из обычных людей, угодивших в жернова нацистской машины смерти. С ней тебе предстоит пройти через весь музей, который концептуально устроен так, что последовательно и безоценочно перед твоим взором раскрывается история Холокоста как технологии аннигиляции (нарочито нейтральный тон повествования оставляет тебя наедине с необходимостью сделать выводы по увиденному). Все начинается с огромного металлического лифта, который со скрежетом везет тебя на верхние этажи. С последнего этажа тебе предстоит долгий путь вниз, и чем ниже - тем яснее проступает глубина бездны, в которую скатилось человечество в середине XX века. Экспозиция берёт начало с расовой теории Третьего Рейха. Нас проведут через все этапы сегрегации, попутно показывая, к примеру, вычислительную машину, спроектированную IBM специально для автоматизации процесса учета евреев. Мы пройдем по ключевым вехам культивирования общественной ненависти к евреям, и в подробностях нам покажут яркий пример ее проявления - последствия Хрустальной ночи. Нам раскроют основные этапы оформления государственной политики в адрес еврейского населения, вплоть до того момента, когда Гитлер примерит на себя образ пророка и объявит о начале операции "Final solution". Отсюда нам дадут пройти по стопам того случайного человека, личную карточку которого мы взяли из картотеки у входа в музей. Через гетто, через вагоны для транспортировки в лагерь, над воротами которого нависает роковая надпись "Arbeit macht frei". Железная дорога выводит нас к устрашающему забору Аушвиц-2 Биркенау, и мы оказываемся в его тесных бараках. В один из санитарных дней мы узнаем на себе поражающее действие газа "Циклон-Б". А далее - темнота печи и непрекращающийся столб черного дыма в ясном небе... Свидетели этой истории - немые ботинки, оправы очков, тонны скрытых в маркированных мешках волос, которые затем пустят на пошив одежды. На самом нижнем этаже, уже перед выходом из музея, знаменитая и, к сожалению, по-прежнему иногда актуальная надпись: "Когда они пришли за коммунистами, я молчал — я не был коммунистом. Когда они пришли за социал-демократами, я молчал — я не был социал-демократом. Когда они пришли за профсоюзными активистами, я молчал — я не был членом профсоюза. Когда они пришли за мной — уже некому было заступиться за меня." P.S. На последней странице личной карточки польского еврея, с которой я вышел из музея, история обрывается фразой "Пропал без вести".

Candelaria Brown

United States Holocaust Museum I visited the museum in May. This museum has been in my list for some time. The structure itself is simply magnificent and breathtaking. The museum is well designed and divided in different sections by floors. I visited on a Thursday and the lines were not long at all. When you first enter, you can request a map and this facilitate the touring of the museum. The official website can give you all the information related to operations. I am not Jew or strict religious person. However, I am a world traveler and love and embrace the diversity of people and tongue. Living in Europe, where I studied WWII and visited some former concentration camps, I knew the Holocaust being a real experience that killed many human beings, just like you and I. And this is very important that you keep in mind as you visit the museum. I plead that you walk in with an open heart. The museum is striking. And it is also a solemn place. Sit in the main hall where the Scriptures speak of heartache, hope and yes the liberation of the human spirit. Stroll throughout the bottom floor where the cards design by children remind us the importance to guard life in its diversity and beauty. Walk through the first floor exhibit and put yourself in the position of the Jews. They too sat in tables; eat food, and slept in beds like we do today. I am humbled by this visit and hope you will go. My hope is that you, as a traveler would open your heart to what unites us as human beings, the need to love and be loved. I think that one of the objectives of the Museum is to allow the heart and mind to confront a very harsh part of the History of mankind. It worked. In a world in which people want to emphasize divisions, the message of hope and love overcomes prevails throughout. Enjoy the tour. It is worth it. And do not forget to visit the basement. Besides the children exhibit, you can see the efforts the museum has overtaken to try to stop genocides in varies part of the world. Do your part and share. Maybe you too would open someone else mind to the splendor found in all ethnicities, and the importance to protect and guard Life – Happy travels.

Cody Mick

The museum itself is a collection of stories, photos, and some, but few, artifacts. Its an emotional collection that really is worth a visit. It pays great tribute to those who experienced the worlds darkest times. What makes (or made) the museum experience difficult for me was the initial ticketing experience (get your tickets online in advance, its worth it). The ticket taker is very finicky about using tickets from a cell phone, which is how theyre delivered (welcome to the future, grandpa). The info desk attendant is also a bit abrupt and rude, though Im sure he has good reason, given how busy the place is. If you are interested in this museum, I hate to say this - but you will be disappointed - due to the crowds. Youll experience a number of school groups with students who were not told of this museums service as a memorial and behave poorly (taking pictures of the nude prisoners with their phones and SnapChatting them), filming one another doing ridiculous things, taking selfies in front of Hitler pictures, and so on. At the start of the museum, youll find yourself dumped off on the 4th floor standing in steady flow of traffic and youll struggle to be able to see everything. Its a stressful experience for those who want to do this museum justice - because it is a good museum - its just not ran well. In my opinion, the museum should ban photos from the standpoint that it slows traffic and creates crowds. I also believe they need to issue less tickets - and I didnt find it particularly easy to get mine - but the issue is that the crowds are not conducive to a worthy experience. Justice is currently not served to those memorialized by this museum. Youll go expecting to be emotionally moved, youll leave - disappointed in an experience that could have been so much better.

samy alaz

hola es un placer comunicarme con uds, y me gustaria si pudiese algun dia visitar el museo quisiera hacer una peticion, ya que muchos negacionistas se basan en sus argumentos para decir que fue falso el holocausto ,haciendo referencia a que no hay pruebas contundentes del holocausto ni de las camaras de gas ,y ya que este es un tema que realmente me conmueve como a muchos judios y nos duele que haya gente sin escrupulos que menciones tales falacias ,estaria agradecido si me pudieran enviar material que pudiera refutar todas las mentiras que dice esa gente, hacen referencia al quimico germar Rudolf o el instituto Max planck donde no han encontrado pruebas quimicas ,etc hablan de infomres como leutcher ,irving, y mas falacias ridiculas obviamente todos sabemos que es falso pero me gustaria poder refutar con pruebas todas esas mentiras ,si tienen al guna forma de proporcionarme infomracion se lo agradeceria+

Cortney Jonas-Burnos

The Holocaust Museum is designed to be an experience, rather than just exhibits. I saw and learned things I had never known from this atrocious time in the worlds history. Many of the other reviews share the deep meaning and experiences that are available here, so Id like to focus on a few tidbits of advice I can offer for your trip here. First, if youre thinking of bringing your children or a group of high school students here, please DONT. The videos and pictures are real and authentic and important, but imho should not be seen by young eyes who cant understand the full context of the holocaust. Big groups are a major distraction in the small spaces. If you are leading a tour of teenagers, please break up into small groups for this museum with adults who can enforce the somberness required of this one visit. Second, to purchase same day tickets, get online at precisely 6 AM to make your purchase. I was able to get the time slot I wanted (for $1 each). At 6:20, I looked again and all the same day passes had sold out. This was for a Saturday, which may be different than weekdays. Once you arrive, be patient with the security line, and be prepared to take a sip of your water while security watches to ensure it truly is water. Finally, allow yourself to be humbled to have an experience with as few of your preconceptions as possible. I realized while I was there that so many of my ideas about the Holocaust were wrapped in American History ideals and curriculum - and were at the very least incomplete. All in all, this was an amazing experience and Im glad we didnt miss it.