The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam is more than just a museum – it is a powerful testament to the human spirit and a somber reminder of one of the darkest chapters in history. As a historian specializing in the Holocaust, I have always been deeply moved by Anne Frank‘s story and the enduring impact of her diary. A visit to the secret annex where she and her family hid from the Nazis for over two years is an emotional and eye-opening experience that brings the history of the Holocaust to life in a visceral way.
A Brief History of Anne Frank
To understand the significance of the Anne Frank House, it is important to know the story behind it. Anne Frank was born in Frankfurt, Germany in 1929 to a Jewish family. In 1933, the Franks fled rising antisemitism in Germany and moved to Amsterdam, where they hoped to find safety. However, their sense of security was shattered in May 1940, when the Nazis invaded and occupied the Netherlands.
Over the next two years, the Nazis imposed increasingly harsh restrictions on Dutch Jews, banning them from public spaces, forcing them to wear yellow stars, and eventually beginning mass deportations to concentration camps in the east. In July 1942, Anne‘s sister Margot received a notice ordering her to report for "labor service" in Germany – a euphemism for deportation. Fearing the worst, the Frank family decided to go into hiding.
The Secret Annex
Otto Frank, Anne‘s father, had been preparing a hiding place in the back of the building where his company was located at Prinsengracht 263. He had enlisted the help of several of his Dutch employees, who agreed to smuggle food and supplies to the secret annex. On the morning of July 6, 1942, the Franks moved into the annex, where they were soon joined by Otto‘s business partner Hermann van Pels and his family. In November, Fritz Pfeffer, a dentist, also moved in.
The annex was small and cramped, consisting of a few narrow rooms and an attic space. The entrance was concealed behind a movable bookcase, and the windows were blacked out to prevent anyone from seeing inside. The eight residents had to remain absolutely silent during the day when the business was open, and could only move about freely at night. They relied entirely on their Dutch helpers to bring them food and other necessities, and lived in constant fear of discovery.
Despite the difficult conditions, Anne tried to maintain a sense of normalcy and optimism. She wrote in her diary nearly every day, recording her thoughts, dreams, and frustrations. She also studied, played games with the other residents, and even developed romantic feelings for Peter van Pels, the teenage son of the other family in hiding.
The Diary of a Young Girl
Tragically, Anne‘s story did not have a happy ending. On August 4, 1944, after more than two years in hiding, the annex was raided by the Nazi security police. Anne and the other residents were arrested and deported to concentration camps. Anne and her sister Margot were eventually sent to the Bergen-Belsen camp, where they both died of typhus in February 1945, just a few months before the camp was liberated by British troops.
After the war, Otto Frank, the only resident of the annex to survive, returned to Amsterdam. He was given Anne‘s diary, which had been saved by Miep Gies, one of the Dutch citizens who had helped hide the Franks. Otto was deeply moved by his daughter‘s writing and decided to publish the diary as a book.
"The Diary of a Young Girl" was first published in Dutch in 1947, and later translated into more than 70 languages. It has sold over 30 million copies worldwide and has been adapted into plays, films, and other media. The diary‘s success was not without controversy, however. Some critics questioned its authenticity, while others argued that Otto Frank had edited and censored parts of the original manuscript.
In the 1950s, the ownership and copyright of the diary became the subject of a series of legal disputes between Otto Frank and the family of Meyer Levin, an American writer who claimed that Otto had promised him the exclusive rights to adapt the diary for the stage. The case was eventually settled out of court, with Otto retaining control of the copyright.
The Anne Frank House Museum
In 1960, Otto Frank decided to turn the building where the secret annex was located into a museum dedicated to his daughter‘s memory and the broader history of the Holocaust. The Anne Frank House officially opened to the public on May 3, 1960, and has since become one of Amsterdam‘s most popular tourist attractions.
Visitors to the museum can tour the secret annex, which has been preserved to appear as it did during the war. Quotations from Anne‘s diary are displayed on the walls, bringing her words to life. The museum also features exhibits on Anne‘s life before and during her time in hiding, as well as on the larger history of the Holocaust.
One of the most powerful aspects of visiting the Anne Frank House is seeing the authentic artifacts and spaces where Anne and her family lived. Visitors can see the movable bookcase that hid the entrance to the annex, the cramped living quarters where the residents slept and ate, and even the pencil marks on the wall where Otto Frank tracked Anne and Margot‘s heights.
The museum also houses a collection of documents, photographs, and other artifacts related to Anne Frank and the Holocaust. These include original copies of the diary, letters written by Anne and her family, and personal belongings of the annex residents.
In addition to preserving the memory of Anne Frank, the museum is dedicated to promoting human rights, tolerance, and social justice. It hosts educational programs for students and teachers, as well as special exhibitions on topics such as discrimination, freedom, and democracy.
The Anne Frank House has had a profound impact on Holocaust education and memorialization around the world. It has inspired countless other museums, memorials, and educational initiatives, and has helped to keep Anne‘s story alive for new generations.
According to the museum‘s annual report, the Anne Frank House received over 1.2 million visitors in 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Of these, nearly 80% were from outside the Netherlands, with visitors coming from over 150 countries. The museum‘s website and social media channels also reach millions of people around the world each year.
Scholars and historians have praised the Anne Frank House for its role in preserving Holocaust history and educating the public. "The Anne Frank House is a powerful reminder of the human capacity for both great good and great evil," said Dr. Edna Friedberg, a historian at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. "It is a testament to the power of one girl‘s voice to inspire and transform the world."
Visiting the Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House is located at Prinsengracht 263-267 in central Amsterdam, just a short walk from the city‘s main canals and historic center. As of 2023, the museum is open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, with extended hours during the summer months.
Due to the museum‘s popularity and limited capacity, tickets must be purchased online in advance. A limited number of tickets are available each day, and they often sell out weeks or even months in advance. As of 2023, ticket prices are €14 for adults, €7 for children aged 10-17, and free for children under 10.
Visitors should be prepared for an emotional and sometimes overwhelming experience when touring the secret annex. The cramped spaces and personal artifacts on display can be deeply moving, and many visitors find themselves reflecting on the immense tragedy of the Holocaust and the fragility of human life.
Despite the somber subject matter, however, the Anne Frank House is ultimately a place of hope and inspiration. Anne‘s diary is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of standing up against injustice and persecution. As Anne herself wrote, "I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
Conclusion
The Anne Frank House is more than just a museum – it is a living testament to the power of one girl‘s voice to inspire and transform the world. By preserving the secret annex and sharing Anne‘s story with millions of visitors each year, the museum ensures that her legacy will continue to endure for generations to come.
As a historian, I am deeply grateful for the work of the Anne Frank House in educating the public about the Holocaust and promoting human rights and social justice. In a world that often seems divided and polarized, Anne‘s message of hope and empathy is more important than ever.
If you have the opportunity to visit Amsterdam, I highly recommend setting aside time to tour the Anne Frank House. It is an unforgettable experience that will leave you with a greater understanding of the past and a renewed commitment to building a more just and peaceful future.
