The Florida Holocaust Museum

Our tour was coordinated with the Eight O'clock Theater during rehearsal for and in preparation for Cabaret. Our guides, Maureen Murphy and Jennifer Bell were phenomenal. The experience is heart wrenching, somber, beautiful, important, and (somehow) still filled with hope and heroes. My (former) neighbor is featured in multiple exhibits which brought an extra element for me. I've known her story for decades but seeing and hearing it in the museum brings it to another level. It's an emotional and heavy experience that I absolutely recommend to everyone. History is important.

Very comfortable, swift and safe entry process. Metal detectors, security, and clear bag policy ensure comfort and safety upon entry. Well-organized exhibit. And NO AI !!!!!!!

FL Holocaust Museum has a danish boat used to smuggle Jews to Sweden during WWII. See a boxcar like those transporting Jews during WWII. Enjoy wonderful exhibits on Jewish delis, foods and culture

Wow, what a museum full of an abundance of history and information. There is a lot to read at this museum so heads up there. Also leave your purse in the car or be prepared to check it at the ticket window.

This is a very emotionally powerful museum. It is designed to be child friendly, so it doesn’t go as in-depth as some museums on the subject I’ve been to. The volunteer was very helpful in describing the museum and exhibits. They had two temporary exhibits going on during my visit. I found the “We Share The Same Sky” exhibit to be the most moving. It was very touching and had many items that brought me back to the museums of Europe. I would definitely return in the future, it’s a really special place here in Florida to be able to reflect on exhibits and items that normally you would have to travel to Europe to see.

They recently reopened after a renovation and I was impressed. Wonderful signage teaching about the history. There’s a box car used to transport Jews that resides on the first floor. The second floor had personal testimonies, an exhibit about Elie Wiesel and about Delis. It is pretty dark, especially on the second floor with sporadic metal benches. The exhibits themselves are lit making it easier to read.

Very educational and powerful exhibits. So much to learn from this museum and unique exhibits displaying individual experiences. My 4th grader read "Number the Stars" and "The War That Saved My Life" in school this year so it was valuable for her to learn more of the history behind her books. My 1st grader appreciated certain aspects of the museum, but didn't have the awareness to fully appreciate it. I'd love to go again without my kids in tow. The staff were amazing and very helpful. They had a sign that they will be starting renovations soon. I'd love to come back after those are completed!!!

Very informative. There is a lot of reading. The visual effects were both generally striking and heartbreaking. There were also some recorded survivor statements. I thought this was well done for a regional museum. However, because it is just a small museum, it certainly could not compare to the United States Holocaust Museum in Washington DC, which I visited on a number of occasions.

Went today for the first time, at their re-opening, as a new member. I must preface this review with the fact that I'm a "2G", or Second Generation, the daughter of a ( now deceased) Holocaust survivor...so I've been to my share of museums and am extra sensitive as well as more knowledgeable than the lay person. That said, I was extremely impressed on so many levels: *police presence/ security: unfortunately the reality, even before October 7. Thank you St. Petersburg PD and security *this said, there is a strict bag policy, only clear bags. There is limited locker availability, so leave the big purse, etc at home *just the right size. It took us maybe 90 minutes ( or less) to cover the entire museum. Not too much to get bored and: or miss exhibits *excellent flow/time line; of course I'd only expect historic accuracy, but the coverage of certain areas oftentimes minimized of ignored was very much noticed: DP ( displaced persons) camps ; Shanghai Jews; difficulty returning "home" post war ( the Kielce pogrom-- my father's z"l hometown) *local survivor artifacts: letters: photos: commentary, etc, really personalizes this subject and is likely to reach more visitors An actual boxcar snd tracks, the real boat---go visit for more details-- the best way to learn *thank you for having a Dimensions in Testimony exhibit, created by the USC Shoah Foundation. This amazing technology allows interaction ( direct questioning) with a survivor who appears to be answering your questions. A MUST *great exhibit on loan from the Skirball Museum ( LA), my old home, and very relatable to museum goers on so many levels *another exhibit ( shirt but succinct) on Elie Wiesel. If you don't know who he is, you definitely MUST visit this museum *a nice gift shop full of Judaica ( mezuzahs, menorahs , kiddish cups, bracelets, lots of books, t -shirts, and other novelties. THE HOLOCAUST WAS REAL, EDUCATE YOURSELF. #neversgai

This museum puts this history in perspective! The visuals will make you think of that time back then! The staff is always friendly and there's a lot of history to explore! I've enjoyed it every time!

Did not make it in time for the free museum day, BUT They are generous to stand outside with notepad and take your info to email you complimentary tickets to come back another day. In this day and age, that almost made me kiss her.

I love visiting museums when I travel, and so my recent trip to Florida meant I was absolutely going to check out this museum! It's located in a relatively busy area, but I can't comment on the parking situation as I used a ride service and did not have a car during the trip. This museum has several wonderful exhibits and the employees were absolutely lovely! If you're in the area, I would highly recommend checking out this museum!

Amazing museum located in St Pete in Florida. The first floor was the best but very hard to get through without shedding a tear. The third floor was artwork and the second floor was not as history based. A one of a kind museum that should not be missed and at 20 dollars it's not bad priced

Entering this location you realize that this place is a reminder of the evil of mankind and the resilience of humanity, one can only sit and wonder how some people can be so evil to others and brings us to the realization that so many people not only died for no reason other then their religious beliefs, but that so many others did nothing to help. It also brings out the best of some, putting their lives in danger to help people they did not know, and the resiliency of many survivors that cheated death and lived long prosperous lives after this horrible experience.

Amazing museum. Learned new things I wasn't aware before. They have a Boxcar which was used by the Nazis to transport Jews and other prisoners to the killing centers. I wish they would feature in the exhibit the involvement of the Philippines when about 1,200 European Jews found refuge from the Holocaust in the Philippines. Their migration was part of an effort by the Philippines president, Manuel Quezon, the Jewish-American Frieder family, and an American official, Paul McNutt.

I very much "enjoyed" my visit here. That feels like a strange word to use for this but really, I learned so much during my visit. It really opened my eyes to many things. My Mom did not enjoy all of the reading. It really was A LOT of reading. For me, I was thirsty for the knowledge and it didn't bother me. I think she wanted to see more visuals? Don't get me wrong though, there are artifacts. There is also an interactive theatre if you will, where you can ask questions and survivors answer via video. I didn't take advantage of this because I felt that I learned so much already I was a bit speechless by the time I came across this. There is also a whole floor with artwork from one of the survivors. The third floor was closed for some reason so not sure what's up there. A little prayer room is at the end where you can spend time in prayer or reflection and there are pieces of paper you can write a little message and put in the wall. I appreciated that because I felt this overwhelming feeling of wanting to do something right then and there. A gift shop is there as well but I didn't go in here.

I have been to the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC and Yad Veshem in Jerusalem. This was my first visit to the Florida Holocaust museum in St. Petersburg. I am now a member of the museum for one year. Teachers and students will receive a bargain rate. The third floor is a must see - How were the German POWs treated here in Florida?

Worth the trip! I had No idea that this hidden gem had so much interesting information. They are 1 of 3 museums that have 3D interactive hologram survivor stories! I don't know if you watch 60 minutes but they did a segment on the hologram stories and we have 1 right here in St Petersburg. The other museums where you can see the holograms are DC and Houston. The museum is also packed with 3 floors of history and once you enter you can listen to the free tour on your cell phone or just walk around and read! Parking is also free so why wait ?

The memory and story of this is museum is told by our Bay Area Jews. It is close to our heart. These stories is definitely part of our living testimony for our residents here. The museum is split by two part. The downstair mainly have the most telling to the holocaust incident during the German World War. Poland got hit hard then the most in Europe. There were 3 million Jewish population before the war. After the war, only 80,000 survived. It is a lot of killing and displacement of the Jewish people. It is a lesson of sad human race history. I hope it is never again in the world. I like the display of shoes and clothing, who died in the holocaust. There was s also memory for hero who save people and fight against the war. The second floor is very much special edition to remember the great music producer Bill Graham. You can see the sixty how the music concert was done. Some great music was play then. The billboard has some interesting design. I was never guest Mick Jagger, Tina Turner, Madonna, and Bob Dylan were play the music in one concert. It is interesting.

What an amazing place! I had an afternoon after a work event and it was suggested that I come here to see the Bill Graham exhibit .t was not what you think were the words that were said over and over to me. So I listened. And they were right. While the museum long standing exhibit is interesting, I've been to many Holocaust museums. The Bill Graham exhibit is not to be missed. What are you waiting for! Run don't walk. It was so fascinating to read about his journey in life- from Europe to the US. Surviving and doing his best along the way. And that he did. Promoting all types of music until his untimely swath in a helicopter crash at age 60. The stories, the audio (they gave you an audio wand to walk thru the exhibit with) and the visuals were fabulous! Staff is so helpful as well.

I specifically went to the Florida Holocaust Museum to see the Bill Graham and the Rock & Roll Revolution exhibit. Before the tour, our docent Meg, provided us with interesting historical information that we could not have attained from the exhibit alone. Meg was amazing! Graham, born in Berlin as Wulf Wolodia Grajonca, escaped Nazi Germany as an 11-year-old refugee. He was one of the "One Thousand Children," approximately 1,400 Jewish children whose parents arranged to get them out of Europe between 1934 and 1945, as Adolf Hitler assumed power. The interview of his childhood friend Ralph Moratz was very powerful. Bill and Ralph were in the orphanage together in France. The horror that those little ones endured....of the 64 refugee children from the orphanage that came over in the Serpa Pinto ship bound for the US, 11 made it alive. It was an amazing exhibit! The staff were very friendly as well. I'll be back to tour the rest of the museum soon!

Excellent and should be a requirement for all students in our county. Wonderful dociers who tell stories and share empathy of the events that unfolded in history. May we never repeat this.

Had a very informative experience at the Florida Holocaust Museum. The first floor provided all the background information, while the second floor featured personal testimonies from survivors. I would recommend a visit.

Did not know what to expect from this museum. May seem a bit small but as you read through the exhibits (I recommend you take the time to read everything) a story unfolds. Really puts into perspective how people were effected and how many lives were lost. As well as the atrocities they went through. Really eye opening. Enjoyed my visit here and would recommend to anyone who wants to learn more about this tragic time in history.

Of course this museum is somber, and dark and cold. I suggest bringing a light sweater to go in. We were expecting all of this minus the cold. You definitely should bring a pair of headphones and your smart phone to be able to listen to the audio tour for the first floor. There's a ton of reading and you're not quite sure where to begin if you don't have the audio tour to guide you. Definitely not some thing for the younger crowd if they did not have a good attention span or some patience. My 13-year-old who loves history but has a shorter attention span made it through about 30 minutes of listening to the audio tour and looking at things before she was ready to go and we still had quite a lot to cover. Expect to spend a few hours in here but it will be mostly reading. They do have a good collection of items - the second and third floor is mostly artwork. Very good to use as a teaching aid for our children about hate and racism and antisemitism. They also have an interactive interview with holocaust survivors which is pretty amazing.

Wow very sad plenty to learn . Amazing. You get a wand like and theres Numbers you punch I and you can listen to information of what your looking at. Plus they have a are rock 'n' roll exhibit going on till February. Re: Bill Graham who was survivor. Went on to be a great musician and it together Live Aide for Africa Very interesting

It was very informative on the holocaust. It provided good information on the before, during, and after the holocaust. It was also emotional and surreal that this happened.

I came here for an excellent exhibit for black history month called beaches, benches and boycotts. We were here with our companies African American resource group and were accompanied by a docent who was excellent! I think that it took the experience to another level with his explanations and extra anecdotes as someone who lived through the experience as a local resident. I learned so much history about not only the St. Petersburg area in the civil rights movement but how it affected nationally. For example, a local doctor used to house black athletes from the MLB for spring training because they were not allowed to stay in the hotels. When they silently protested the segregation by not doing this anymore, the MLB forced to move its spring training elsewhere (I forget which team it was!). I never knew the meaning behind the green benches either! They were a segregated bench for whites only and it's symbolism of racism. There is even a brewing company named after them (black owned). Very informative exhibit with the guide we had. Thank you to the Holocaust museum for having this.

Small with very nice displays that have a wealth of information. Hard material done respectfully and thoughtfully. I learned information I had not known

The most important parts of history to learn about are those that are not necessarily uplifting or comfortable. The staff at this museum was very polite and helpful. Upon entry, you will have to go through a metal detector. If you have a backpack, you will be required to leave it at the front desk. Admission for a non-student adult is $16. In my opinion, it was money well spent. You will be given an audio device that enables you to listen to information about the displays as you go through the museum. I found this especially helpful when I encountered groups of people because I have ADHD and in the presence of distraction, listening is much easier than reading. I noticed a lot of museum visitors skimming over the displays and moving on. To get the full experience here, I encourage you to come when you have a solid two or more hours to take everything in. Take your time. If I hadn't stopped to read and listen as much as I had, my visit would not have been as fulfilling and engaging as it was. The museum displays cover from the beginnings of anti-Semitism to after the Holocaust. They even include exhibits about other instances of widespread discrimination, which I think is important. My experience here was incredibly emotional and touching. I'm glad I came alone because it minimized feelings of distraction and being rushed. One of my favorite displays showed items that survived Kristallnacht, including a Torah scroll. Another exhibit contained items from concentration camps, including silverware, shoes, and uniforms. Nothing could have prepared me, however, for the boxcar. It was one of the original boxcars that transported prisoners to concentration camps in Poland, and is one of very few that are on display outside of Poland. I knew it was at the museum and had seen it in photographs, but the actual experience was compelling beyond words. I'm not Jewish, and although I'm of Polish ancestry, my family came to the United States as refugees shortly before the establishment of Nazi concentration camps. Therefore, I may not have felt a personal connection to the museum or its contents in the way many people do, no matter how moved I was by these items and their accompanying information. However, I was brought to tears when I visited the boxcar, which sits on an original piece of train track. I can't explain exactly how or why, but I was moved in a way I didn't expect. As I read the display information, looked up at it, and pictured people being brutally forced in there and the unspeakable conditions they endured, I couldn't help but cry. This isn't a bad thing - I think most people can benefit from an experience like this. It made me appreciate what I have and gave me a deeper understanding of history. Both of these things are extremely important. Near the boxcar, there's a wall with portraits on it. These portraits are of people who helped victims of the Nazis in some way and are accompanied by such descriptions. There was a rock and roll exhibit on one of the upper floors, but I didn't visit it. I left to have some lunch with the intention of possibly returning, but I didn't make it back to the museum. While I think this display would have been entertaining to see, I saw what I came for.

I'm not Jewish, but I think everyone should visit this place. There is only so much you learn from TV and history books. My jewish friend really wanted to go here, so while on a mini vacation, we decided to check it out. It is very detailed and humbling. I had chills run down my spine when I saw one of the train cars that they used to transport people to the camps. So Sad. This isn't a big place, but it will take a couple hours to get through it if you read everything.

Katie V's review of this museum is very thorough and pretty much summarizes anything I could possibly say about it. I had been wanting to visit this museum for years. We are currently studying WWII in our homeschool class, and I figured my 11 year old daughter is finally mature enough to learn about such an important, devastating period in history. We went on a self-guided tour. This was nice, as we were able to move at our own pace, reading the displays while listening to the narration on the handheld device. Both of us were moved to tears. The displays, photographs, and stories are so tragic and heartbreaking, especially the shoes and other artifacts relating to children, and the train car. During our visit, the upstairs contained an Anne Frank exhibit on one side, and a local Civil Rights exhibit on the other. Every part of the museum was overwhelmingly emotional and inspired some difficult, but meaningful conversation on some very tough topics.

I was sadly disappointed with this museum. It was very basic, and only one floor dedicated to the Holocaust. I felt it was "watered down" and did not tell the real horrors - maybe it would be too "shocking." The other floor was about the civil rights' movement, which made no sense since it's a "Holocaust" museum, and what I paid for. One writer stated that there was a small room meant to be the "Western Wall" in Jerusalem. I missed that, or was it the "meditation" room? I left extremely unhappy, and felt my time and money was wasted. I have been to Yad Vashem. I barely could breathe and had to "walk through" most of it without stopping because I was so upset. I have also been to Auschwitz/Birkenau; Anne Frank Haus; Schindler's museum; Western Wall in Jerusalem; and places in Warsaw related to the Holocaust. The Florida Holocaust museum paled in comparison and does history a disservice.

So very pleasantly surprised by this museum. Not located in an especially good area or impressive from outside. Once inside after passing through security, we were greeted by the manager who is also from Boca Raton. We were provided a verbal overview of the 3 story museum then did a self tour. Most impressive was the boxcar used to transport people to concentration camps and the interactive conversations with Holocaust survivors. Fascinating and innovative!

Incredibly inconsiderate place, tows employees cars in surrounding establishments at hours long after they close that are parked in the furthest corners of "their" lot. They're not impacted in any way, and their lot takes up 90% of the space around the building. It's clear whoever is in charge of that lot has a power fantasy but they harm others who are just trying to do their jobs.

A powerful and old museum. I took my time in this museum. About three hours. This museum doesn't accept cash.

Amazing museum located downtown. I honestly thought we would be in and out fairly quickly and was pleasantly surprised when we ended up not leaving for almost an hour and a half. First floor was a wealth of knowledge and history of the Holocaust. So much information and I honestly learned a lot. If you decide not to do the guided tour, they give you an audio guide where you can enter in the number of the display you are viewing and it will tell you more about it. Second floor was the Operation Finale (Adolf Eichmann) exhibit. Amazing. The exhibit flowed nicely from start to finish. I was enthralled with the displays and information provided. It honestly made me want to see the movie, read or watch a documentary to learn more. I wouldn't call this a "fun" way to spend an afternoon. You're not going to leave here happy with a smile on your face. It was definitely an educational and somber experience and opened my eyes to this horrific tragedy. Some of the displays brought tears to my eyes. The Boxcar display was very moving and gave me chills. My 13 year old son was decidedly "bored" the whole time. But I did catch him looking at many of the displays and reading the info there. He was even able to throw some facts back at me that night when we were talking about our visit so I know he was paying attention. This visit will definitely stay with me for a while.

I think any museum dealing with the Holocaust is a profound experience, but the Florida Holocaust Museum creates a profound experience using a focused approach. The exhibits revolve around the finality of this particular outbreak of intolerance and repression towards Jews. This was systematized genocide - not just a religious mania or institutionalized racism. There is a focus on the other groups caught up in the Nazi decimations (mentally ill, gays, gypsy groups, etc.), and rotating exhibits on the repression of gays in Nazi Europe and the recollections of Survivors and those who liberated the concentration camps. What I found most interesting about this museum is that while there is an obvious focus on what happened, the message is about making sure it does not happen again. A section of the museum focuses on current genocidal regimes and wars, and the overall message seems to be less about 'never forget' than it is about 'never again'. Overall a good experience. The only thing I did not like was the audio tour, which was often long-winded and overly preachy.

For such a small building, this museum really packed a ton of information and presented it in such a well organized fashion! I came in with just under an hour to spare and thought that was more than enough time to go through everything. Well I probably only read/listened to a third of everything before realizing I only had 30 min left! Unfortunately it was a race to the end to try and go over as much as i could in the second half of my trip but I feel like I walked away with so much more knowledge than I typically do when frequenting museums. Well done, and well priced for the visit. Check it out!

Spectacular museum. Everyone in the Tampa Bay Area should visit this museum at least once. I highly suggest going when there is a docent tour being led. I went to the one on Sunday at 2 p.m. My tour guide was British and I wish I remembered his name, because he was the best tour guide I have ever had. He was extremely knowledgeable and eloquent. He really made this visit for me. I felt like fainting the entire visit (related to lack of food and my blood sugar), but I couldn't bring myself to leave, because I needed to finish the tour. I honestly spent most of the tour squatting on the ground to stop from passing out, but it was worth it. I cannot imagine any other tour that I would do that for. If you do not do a docent led tour, you can get a handset and do the audio tour. I really suggest doing the docent led tour and then if you want more information do the audio tour for parts you want to learn more about. There are two other levels, but on account to me feeling so bad we didn't make it to them. I feel like that first floor is worth the price of admission anyways. I cannot recommend a museum more highly. I never was taught much about the Holocaust growing up in Texas and I feel like this is information everyone should be aware of.

This was an an informative, chilling experience. I suppose the museum is on the smaller side but if you actually take this time to listen to each item on the audio tour and watch all of the films it can take quite a while to get through. Lots of fascinating artifacts and information they never shared with you when you learned about the holocaust in school. Very glad we decided to tour this museum

My girlfriend and I are Jewish, and have been wanting to visit this museum for some time (just moved here recently), as we make a point of visiting Jewish restaurants, museums (art, Holocaust, etc.). While the museum does have some beautiful and appropriate exhibits regarding the Holocaust, the negatives outweighed the positives. We were caught off guard, and quite disheartened by the actions and contents of the museum. Here are several GLARING STRIKE-OUTS by the museum: 1) We took a guided tour by an Englishman who runs the tour once a week. The first 45 minutes was spent with him sprinkling his presentation using comparisons between the Nazi regime and our current government and leaders, laughing and chiding. He directly insulted our current government more than the Nazis, and didn't bring up any actual politics or politicians from the appropriate era that failed the Jews. To add salt to the wound, the presenter is from Britain slapping our people in the face. Nobody else was laughing, by the way, but at least he finds light in the death of millions of Jews. 2) The presenter also went on about how we should have more tolerance for Muslims, because they're persecuted and victims. This was a repeated theme during his presentation. Not once did her talk about the intolerance today's Jews face. 3) The museum took up an entire floor showcasing the Black's civil rights struggles in America. I'm all for equality, but I thought I was at a Holocaust museum - the only one of (what I thought) substance, for hundreds of miles. The museum could use that space for... I dunno... Holocaust-related things, because it's a Holocaust museum? Do Black history museums dedicate entire floors to the Holocaust? Nope. Silly me. 4) On the way out, there's a small room that's meant to be the Western Wall in Jerusalem (Wailing Wall). It has a Quran proudly sitting on the prayer table next to the Torah, facing the Wall for people to open and pray with. Yeah, a Quran next to the Torah in a Holocaust museum in a replicated sacred space for Jews. Do you think Muslim museums have a Torah in their sacred spaces facing the Temple Mount? Nope. 5) When I asked 'Mark' at the front desk why there was a Quran proudly displayed like this, especially here, and in that room, he said because we're the "The Museum of Tolerance". I explained that the "Museum of Tolerance" isn't stated anywhere, nor is it where we are both currently at. I reminded him we are at "The Florida Holocaust Museum" and that nowhere in its name, advertising, or anything else claims it to be the "The Museum of Tolerance". By default, the museum is a museum of depicting INTOLERANCE - it's sole reason for being, and people need to FEEL that intolerance to get the point across - to not be distracted by political correctness, tainted by Brits mocking our government and comparing us to Nazis, opening Muslim prayer books ( a form of conversion), and using an entire floor for somebody else's memories and struggles that will never compare to the Holocaust. 'Mark' didn't bother lifting his head from his notepad at the reception desk, and simply glanced up at me with an annoyed raised eyebrow. We walked away very disheartened by the entire experience. Like our enemies say 'why bother tearing the Jews apart, they're doing it to themselves' - and the "Florida Holocaust Museum" is not a contributor to NEVER FORGET, rather a contributor to DILUTE, DISTRACT, FORGET . It's a sad example of a Holocaust Museum - a place meant to remember the horrors millions of Jews went through. Comparing our country and leaders to Nazi Germany and their leaders - while a British presenter laughs at his own comparisons, along with Black civil rights exhibits, Qurans on display, and museum employees who don't even know the name of the place they work, is AN ABSOLUTE TRAVESTY. I will never recommend this museum to any of our fellow congregants, visiting family, friends, or acquaintances.

VERY DISAPPOINTING! I expected to see pictures of the torture and distress that the inmates suffered, and it was a bunch of "history" of people... never saw the real pictures to make the Holocaust real to current people. They could have done SO much more! It was boring, non-informational, and unreal. The only thing worth seeing was the boxcar that transported prisoners. Sad that they wasted so much money and opportunity to really inform the public of the tragedy of the Holocaust :-(

This museum is hands down one of the best in Saint Petersburg. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, the subject matter is dealt with in the most respectful manner, and the history of the tragedy is laid out for all to see. I specifically applaud the museum for bridging the gap from the past to the present. Many museums create exhibitions that focus on the events, and stop. The Holocaust Museum explores how and why these atrocities happened, and then continues to describe the effects of the Holocaust throughout history, from the war itself to the modern day. Very well done.

Free for students with valid USF ID. Free parking. Actually, I visited the museum as a requirement for the extra credit in my American Government class. I was kind of excited and surprised about what I saw and learned from this educative visit. The museum was pretty small but quite informative about the Holocaust. There were variations of arts, pictures, and artifacts. I just do not feel this is a right or fun place for children.

Lots of history, lots of sadness, lots of life and death. Everyone needs to spend some time here!

Smaller Museum Dedicated to the horrific memory of the Holocaust.. i found this museum to be small but impactful. I shed a tear at one exhibit and there was a unanimous feeling among the other visitors. The staff was helpful in explaining anything that was asked and they offered free listening devices at the door that were nice. I would recommend this museum to young preteens in the area learning about the impact of WWll

Super cool place! People need to know what happened, had very cool pictures and things to look at. People working there were super nice! Have been there twice now and everything we come back there is something new. Would definitely recommend. :)

"Without centuries of Christian antisemitism, Hitler's passionate hatred would never have been so fervently echoed." -- Robert Runcie When you think about it, is baffling to see how many millions of people Hitler brainwashed with his agenda of exterminating certain ethnic groups. I posted a picture showing the incredible turnout at one of his rallies, for your reference. It is hard to believe that people were so easily persuaded to commit such an atrocity toward fellow humans, it's proof that with the right tactics, you can brainwash people to commit mass murder toward anyone that is considered "different" from the rest. Killing in the name of religion has been going on for centuries, and this is no exception. This museum not only documents Hitler's rise to power, but also leaves current and future generations with the message of speaking up against hate, rather than doing nothing, which is essentially, a form of consent. It accomplishes this by providing quotes or examples of hateful messages or apathy, and asks us, the patrons, to consider current examples of racism, hatred toward certain groups of people, negative rumors and stereotypical language in referring to them, and think whether Hitler's legacy still lives on today. It does not take much introspection to realize that sadly, it in fact does exist, and is even practiced by people in power or potential positions of power and leadership, without going into too much detail as to the particular individuals that come to mind. The museum was not only an eye-opening experience for me, despite having visited other Jewish museums here in South Florida, but also educational. Did you know, for example, that Poles were also the target of Hitler's plan for extermination? How about the Roma people? Homosexuals? Jehovah's Witnesses? That's right -- his hatred was not limited to Jews or those with dark complexions that did not fit the "Aryan race" standard; never mind the fact that he, himself, did not fit that standard either, but somehow it was something everyone had to overlook and consider the exception. Something else I learned, Americans haven't always been willing to get involved in international conflict or doing the right thing. There are several artifacts to be seen here, from prisoner camp uniforms to personal identification cards of concentration camp prisoners, family portraits showing how Jews were required to wear a Star of David at all times, letters, passports, and many other personal items. The pictures of the skeletal concentration camp prisoners are nauseating and upsetting, as are the weapons that were used to beat them into submission, like an animal. It was chilling to see the medical instruments used by Joseph Mengele to commit acts of torture by experimenting on Jews, like lab animals. There are signs throughout, and an audio device that goes into further detail about each exhibit, even providing personal accounts. I highly recommend you take the time to read all the information, and use the audio device. Those claiming this place was "boring" or could be seen within minutes were obviously either too lazy or uninterested in the subject matter. A ray of light came through in the form of the "portraits of courage & sacrifice" section of the museum, showing several average citizens who either helped Jews or spoke up on their behalf. These include Miep Gies (who hid Anne Frank and her family from the Nazis), Marion Pritchard, Oskar Schindler. All these people were heroes and an example to humanity, that intolerance should not be accepted, despite the fact their opinions may not have been the most popular and may have even cost them their lives. You may even be surprised to find out a lot of them were minorities -- Muslims, women, Asians... Unfortunately, there is not much of a silver lining in the struggles of the victims of the Holocaust and all it takes is one glance to see the actual boxcar used to transport prisoners to their death. It is in the middle of the room to remind us that horror was always around the corner. I could not help but feel the heaviness in the air while looking at this boxcar, and imagine the hundreds of people stuffed inside, starving, and humiliatingly relieving their bodily functions on top of each other. I was saddened by it but also angry, and powerless. The topmost floor of the museum contained art by Holocaust survivors like Samuel Bak. You can see the themes of death, sadness, bloodshed, and the horror of having gone through this experience. This museum is a powerful reminder to us all that hate is something passed down through generations, and each one of us can potentially become the subject of hate, and a campaign for extermination. The depravity of the human mind may frighten or anger you, and so it is essential to visit this place with an open mind, but make sure you check your emotions at the door and remember, "those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

Great museum!! HOWEVER, the minimum wage ticket taker "JAN" was extremely rude and acted racists toward us today. Funny we visited a museum and the theme was tolerance... JAN needs to be fired or moved away from dealing with the public for being unprofessional.

We used our complimentary library passes to visit this wonderful tribute to the history of the Jewish faith. We learned so much and enhanced our appreciation of triumph over tragedy. The temporary exhibit honoring Bill Graham in the upstairs gallery was fascinating. Thank you!

They tell the story of the holocaust in a smaller space but very impactful. Fantastic museum, great people, impactful. The phil graham exhibition was a nice addition.

Place is alright doesn't have a whole lot at least not for the price. The security guard takes his job way to seriously. I heard him talking to the other security guard a hour and a half before the museum closed how people were trying to come in but he wasn't allowing it because it was too close to closing time. We went through the whole museum in a hour. The whole second floor was shut down. He also wouldn't allow me to leave the museum unless I went back through the metal detectors? Which made no sense because he said they will go off but it doesn't matter because you are leaving. So then why do I have to go back through when there is an opening to leave? Makes no sense must just be on a power trip. Other than that it's just ok in my opinion.

I had put off going to the holocaust museum because I knew it would hit me emotionally hard. My family, being of Jewish decent brought the reminders of the persecution suffered to a chilling place. 6 million Jews were killed during the Nazi regime and over a million of those were children. 11 million people lost their lives. Chilling to say the least. The museum itself has historical data, artifacts including a boxcar that was used to transport people to what is known as death camps. The first floor gives the timeline events mixed in with actual letters from those who were imprisoned in the death camps. The second floor has photos and stories of those who survived and reading them will fill even the heartless among us to tears. One photo I read told of how this woman lost 104 family members. The third floor had student artwork remembering the horror as well as some hopeful messages We went on the free museum day, but I certainly would pay the admission fee as we all need to understand that it wasn't all that long ago and prejudice was abundant and still exists all over. No one is immune to it and we as a people need to help each other to coexist and embrace our differences.

Established to honor the memory of the millions who suffered, or died, during the Holocaust, this museum accomplishes that mission with a quiet dignity. It is not always easy to look into the faces photographed or read the detailed descriptions of the living conditions and inhumane treatment men, women, children and seniors were subjected to but the knowledge that there were survivors helps offset some of the horror. The permanent exhibits occupying the first floor includes original artifacts and authentic video and photos. Allow yourself enough time to fully take in these presentations. The final section is dominated by a boxcar similar to those used to transport people to the camps. Its impact is powerful. Before exiting the first floor, note the small, private meditation room that offers visitors a place to sit quietly and contemplate all that they have learned and even leave a written note placed in the wall with whatever wishes or prayers anyone wants to express. Additional, temporary exhibits located on the second floor and are worth a look, if time allows.

I have always been interested in checking out the Florida Holocaust Museum. I actually lived within walking distance of this museum for a decade and never went. For some reason I had the feeling that the museum would disappoint me...and it pretty much did. We went on a free museum day on a Saturday. To say that it was packed is an understatement. We initially tried to read the plaques as we walked through, but that quickly became impossible due to the large amount of people. We ended up just walking through and looking at the physical items and reading an occasional snippet. Unfortunately, the majority of the museum is typed plaques and pictures of survivors. There is very little to actually look at. The second and third floors only contained pictures of more survivors with their stories and a few cool pieces of art or sculptures. It felt very empty and sad. I wouldn't mind returning to the museum and taking my time looking through the exhibits a little closer. I do wish that there were a lot more to it, but I would give it another shot if I could find a discount or maybe a free day where it isn't as crowded.

Not exactly what I expected. First off, it's a lot smaller than I thought, especially being such a big building. The staff is very nice and informative, but I think it is slightly overpriced for what there is. I did get the college student discount (10) which was cool, opposed to the regular fee of 16. There are auditory devices that go along with the exhibits which were nice but there were so many to listen to it was sort of overwhelming. The exhibits were awesome as well and there's tons to read but it got to be too much and I honestly felt myself getting bored, even though I'm usually very interested in the Holocaust. The videos are good though and capture your attention better. And I was disappointed that the two upper floors weren't even anything to really do with the Holocaust. Overall, if you have the time and $10-16 to blow, I think it is worth it.