National Holocaust Centre and Museum facts for kids
The National Holocaust Centre and Museum is a special place in Nottinghamshire, England. It's near a village called Laxton. This centre used to be known as Beth Shalom, which means "House of Peace." It's the only museum in England completely dedicated to remembering the Holocaust. The Holocaust was a terrible time in history when millions of Jewish people and others were killed during World War II.
The museum opened in 1995. It helps people learn about the Holocaust, especially children. There are other places in England that also teach about this history, like a permanent exhibit at London's Imperial War Museum and the Holocaust Exhibition and Learning Centre in Huddersfield, which opened in 2018.
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Why Was It Created?
The National Holocaust Centre and Museum was started by two brothers, James and Stephen Smith. In 1991, they visited Israel. While there, they went to a place called Yad Vashem, which is a big memorial to the Holocaust. This visit deeply changed how they understood history and the Holocaust. They wanted to create a place in England where others could learn and remember too.
Educating Young People
The museum works hard to teach young people about the Holocaust. It has a special exhibit that focuses on the experiences of children during that time. This important exhibit received nearly £500,000 in funding from a lottery grant.
Even famous people have visited the Centre to learn. For example, Prince Harry visited to learn about the Holocaust. This happened after he wore a costume that caused some upset at a fancy dress party. The Centre helped him understand the history better.
Honoring the Founders
On July 21, 2010, almost 20 years after the Centre was founded, James and Stephen Smith, along with their mother Marina, were given special awards. Nottingham Trent University gave them honorary degrees called Doctor of Letters (DLitt). This recognized their important work in creating and running the Centre.
Other Important Places
- Hyde Park Holocaust Memorial: A memorial in London, unveiled in 1983.
- The Holocaust Exhibition and Learning Centre, Huddersfield: Another place to learn about the Holocaust in England.
- The Wiener Library for the Study of the Holocaust and Genocide (London): A library in London focused on studying the Holocaust.
- Imperial War Museum: A museum in London that also has a permanent exhibition about the Holocaust.
- List of Holocaust memorials and museums: A list of many places around the world that remember the Holocaust.
External Links
- Official website: https://www.holocaust.org.uk/: Visit the official website of the National Holocaust Centre and Museum to learn more.
