History, Heritage and Hope

At the heart of The Florida Holocaust Museum’s storytelling is History, Heritage, and Hope, a powerful, immersive exhibition that spans The Museum’s first floor. Through original artifacts, photographs, and testimonies, it traces the history of the Holocaust from its origins through its aftermath.

The exhibition begins with the roots of antisemitism and Jewish life before World War II, progressing through the rise of Hitler and the Nazi regime, the passage of anti-Jewish laws, and the persecution of other targeted groups. Stories of ghettos, resistance, and rescue offer a fuller understanding of the era’s complexity and the human response to systemic persecution and genocide.

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Boxcar #113 069-5, a rare original railcar of the type used to transport Jews and other prisoners to concentration camps, stands on authentic tracks from the former Treblinka Killing Center. It serves as a solemn and enduring reminder of those who were lost.

On the opposite side, the story shifts to Thor, one of the Danish fishing boats used in the 1943 rescue of more than 7,000 Jews from Nazi-occupied Denmark.

Bringing Thor to The FHM has been a lengthy journey, made possible by the persistence and dedication of Irene Weiss, Margot Benstock, and many supporters that began in 2022.

Now part of The Museum’s permanent collection, Thor stands as a powerful counterpoint to The Boxcar, reminding us of what is possible when people choose to stand up for one another.