The Florida Holocaust Museum Reopening Plans

Jul 14, 2020Statements from The FHM

At The Florida Holocaust Museum, we are working on a safe and efficient plan to reopen the doors to our community. We are taking the CDC guidelines very seriously and are implementing every precaution within our museum space to ensure the safety of our staff, visitors, students, volunteers, and our local Holocaust Survivors. We are mindfully evaluating the best way to safely reopen to the public as we have distinct obstacles within the confinements of our building that require special attention.

Due to the specific flow of our exhibition spaces, our goal is to safely, and softly, open our museum doors to the public in early January 2021. The intentional design of our core exhibition, History, Heritage and Hope takes visitors chronologically through the first floor. Featuring original artifacts, video, and photos, it presents the history of the Holocaust beginning with the history of antisemitism and life before World War II, followed by the rise of Hitler and the Nazis and anti-Jewish legislation. This sequential design makes it difficult to direct visitors down alternate paths, and to allow for safe social distancing, without missing important elements of the exhibition.

While we are working on a safe and efficient plan to welcome back our community into our Museum space, we are planning some new and exciting educational initiatives that will allow The FHM to spread its messaging throughout our community and the state of Florida.

The Museum is is pleased to currently share our thoughtful outdoor exhibit that spreads the message of hope and resilience throughout our community. This innovative display will feature artist Samuel Bak, a Holocaust Survivor who creates beautifully detailed and highly colorized work that pose unanswerable questions about the horrors he survived. While his art is part testimony of experience, his painting also explores the Holocaust, society and the systems that allow atrocities and injustice to happen. Bak feels that the creation of art “could be seen as a sign of resilience.”

We remain heavily focused on our core mission, to honor the memory of millions of innocent men, women, and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust and to teach members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life. As well as our vision as a leader in developing and delivering unique strategies empowering people to make positive change in the world.

For many years, The Florida Holocaust Museum has seen the great need for free and accessible virtual educational resources. A few years ago, the Museum began implementing new and innovative virtual learning tools to aid in the success of virtual learning for all. Currently, we are continuing to lead in Holocaust education through our digital platforms. We are providing mission-centric educational resources and virtual outreach initiatives to teachers, students, and families throughout the state of Florida, and beyond. Available online and at no cost, we have an array of educational tools that allow The FHM to bring our important mission and the lessons of the Holocaust into people’s homes. Our virtual resources, social media interactive programs, virtual tour, online curriculum, Holocaust Survivor testimonies, and our collections are all available online.

Please keep an eye out for more exciting announcements over the next few months! We are looking forward to safely welcoming back our loyal supporters and all members of the community soon.

Please continue to visit TheFHM.org for updates.

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why is The Florida Holocaust Museum temporarily closed?

  • As always, the health and safety of our visitors, volunteers, and staff are the single most important consideration for The Florida Holocaust Museum and it is our duty to protect them as best we can. This decision has been carefully considered, and is in line with how museums across the country are handling this public health crisis. We have launched this webpage, which will be updated frequently to communicate the latest in regards to The FHM’s operations and our upcoming programming schedule.

Are your events still happening?

  • All of The FHM’s upcoming in person programs have been postponed. However, the Museum is hosting some virtual programs. The schedule for The FHM upcoming virtual programs is available online at TheFHM.org/events.

Is there a way to experience The Florida Holocaust Museum virtually?

What educational resources do you have available for virtual learning?

How is The Florida Holocaust Museum continuing facilities maintenance during this closure?

  • Although we are temporarily closed to the public, the Museum’s artifacts and building are being maintained and kept secure. Operational and security staff are remaining on site, and Museum staff will be working and checking their emails.

Will The Florida Holocaust Museum be extending Memberships during this time?

  • The FHM values its members and all memberships will be extended for the duration of the closing.

How can we stay engaged with The Florida Holocaust Museum during this temporary closure?

Who is helping guide the museum with business decisions at this time?

  • All of these practices and our business decisions are informed by guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO), American Alliance of Museums (AAM), and local government and public health agencies. The museum will stay apprised of the CDC’s evolving recommendations for avoidance and containment of the coronavirus (COVID-19). The health and safety of our community have always been our top priority, and this is a rapidly-evolving situation that we will continue to monitor.

Please continue to visit our website TheFHM.org for updates. Stay healthy and safe, and we hope to see you at The Florida Holocaust Museum soon.