Teach the lessons of the Holocaust to inspire action against bigotry, hatred, and violence.
We do this through:
- Displaying artifacts and photographs which tell the individual stories within the larger history of the Holocaust;
- Providing Educational programs and activities to students at all grade levels;
- Presenting general public programs and exhibits that highlight elements of our collection and stories related to the Holocaust and other genocides;
The unique origin of the Museum was a Naples, Florida middle school classroom exhibit created by students and teachers studying the Holocaust called “Out of the Ashes.” The motto of the project was “Tell your children to tell their children and their children another generation. We will never forget!” The students knew the important lessons of the Holocaust must always be shared.
In 2001, the exhibit was transformed into a museum and educational center, operating as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation. With our focus on education, our programs reach over 15,000 students each year and the Museum hosts more than 5,000 visitors annually. The Golden Gate teachers and students would be so proud of the impact “Out of the Ashes” has had!
The Museum houses over 1,000 World War II and Holocaust artifacts and original photographs displayed chronologically from the rise of Nazism to Allied Liberation and the Nuremberg Trials. Many of the artifacts have been donated or permanently loaned by local Survivors, Liberators and other dedicated people.
Self-guided Museum tours are available. Visitors can download a free app for their mobile devices or use a Museum tablet to access the tour. Earbud use is requested so as not to disturb other guests.
The 10-ton Holocaust-era railway Boxcar was located after a four-year international search by Museum Board Member Emeritus Jack Nortman. Brought to Naples to honor his parents and in memory of Nortman family relatives lost in the Holocaust, it is now part of the Museum’s permanent collection. The Boxcar was in the German Railway system during World War II, and is of the type used to carry prisoners, troops, and supplies. Following its 2008 public dedication ceremony in Naples, it became the world’s only traveling Boxcar Exhibit. An invaluable mobile educational tool for the Museum, it visited 90+ locations across South Florida, and was seen by over 100,000 people at a wide variety of locations. Among these were local schools, universities, public libraries, local airports, churches, and synagogues. Built in 1919, the now 101-year old Boxcar no longer travels.
Extensive Education Programs
The Museum’s Education programs focus on middle and high school students in Southwest Florida and the community at large. Student groups visit the Museum, or attend programs at their schools conducted by our Education Department, often accompanied by Holocaust Survivors and Liberators telling their personal stories.
The Museum’s community outreach also sponsors teacher training workshops, PopUp Museum exhibits, film and lecture series as well as cooperative programs with other institutions.