Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington D.C. (must see)

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) stands as the official American tribute to the Holocaust. Situated near the National Mall in Washington, D.C., this institution serves as a hub for the preservation, analysis, and understanding of Holocaust history. Its primary mission is to assist global leaders and citizens in confronting hatred, preventing genocide, championing human dignity, and fortifying democratic values.

The USHMM, conceived by architect James Ingo Freed, was purposefully designed as a "memory amplifier." Its exterior seamlessly blends into the surrounding Neoclassical, Georgian, and modern architectural landscape of Washington, D.C. However, upon entering the museum, each architectural element transforms into a poignant reference to the Holocaust. In crafting the building, Freed meticulously studied post-World War II German architecture and made visits to Holocaust sites across Europe. The museum's physical structure and the exhibits within it are intentionally crafted to evoke emotions of deceit, fear, and solemnity—contrasting with the typical comfort and grandeur associated with public buildings in Washington, D.C.

The collections within the USHMM encompass an impressive array of historical materials: over 12,750 artifacts, 49 million pages of archival documents, 85,000 historical photographs, a registry of more than 200,000 survivors and their families, 1,000 hours of archival footage, 93,000 library items, and 9,000 oral history testimonies. Additionally, the museum has appointed teacher fellows in every U.S. state and, since 1994, nearly 400 university fellows from 26 countries.

Researchers affiliated with the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have meticulously documented a staggering 42,500 ghettos and concentration camps established by the Nazis across German-controlled regions of Europe during the years 1933 to 1945.

While geographically situated in the same vicinity as the Smithsonian museums, it's important to note that the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum operates independently, boasting its own governance structure. Nevertheless, the museum and the Smithsonian frequently collaborate on joint projects.

Tip:
To get tickets (needed Mar-Sep), log in at 6am on the day you wish to go. You'll probably get them. They are free but there's a small convenience charge. You can show the tickets on your phone, so no need to print them. Once you have your arrival time, be prepared to wait outside for at least an hour, so make sure you build that into your time table.