Anne Frank House
History
The Anne Frank House is a museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank, located in the city of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The building is situated on the Prinsengracht, close to the Westerkerk. It is in this building that Anne Frank, along with her family and four other Jews, hid from Nazi persecution during World War II. The Frank family lived in the building from 1942 until their discovery and arrest by the Gestapo in 1944.
The Secret Annex
The building was originally a warehouse and was converted into a house in the early 17th century. The rear of the building, known as the 'Secret Annex', was later added. It was here that the Frank family hid in a concealed area behind a bookcase. The entrance to the Secret Annex was concealed by a movable bookcase specially constructed for this purpose. The rooms in the Secret Annex were small and the occupants had to remain silent during the day to avoid detection.
Post-War Period
After the arrest of the Frank family, the building was cleared by the authorities and was set to be demolished. However, it was saved from destruction by campaigners led by Jan Gies, husband of Miep Gies, who was one of the helpers of the Frank family during their time in hiding. The building was restored and opened as a museum in 1960. The museum is dedicated to preserving the memory of Anne Frank and the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.
The Museum
The museum contains the Frank family's hiding place, historical documents, photographs, film images, and original objects belonging to those in hiding. The museum also has an exhibition space about all forms of persecution and discrimination. The rooms at the Anne Frank House still portray the atmosphere of the period spent in hiding. Historical documents, photographs, film images, and objects that belonged to those in hiding and those who assisted them help illustrate the events that took place.
Anne Frank's Diary
One of the most significant exhibits in the museum is Anne Frank's original diary. The diary, which Anne received on her 13th birthday, contains her writings from June 12, 1942, until August 1, 1944. The diary was published posthumously and has been translated into many languages, becoming one of the world's most widely read books.
Impact and Significance
The Anne Frank House is an important site of remembrance and reflection. It serves as a symbol of the horrors of the Holocaust and the resilience of those who endured it. The museum receives over a million visitors each year, making it one of the most visited museums in the Netherlands.