The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum

The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is a cool museum that is just outside the West End in downtown Dallas. It was started in 1984 by a group of Holocaust survivors who settled in Dallas. In 2005, it moved from the basement of the Jewish Community Center to a rented space in the West End. In 2019, it moved to its permanent location. The museum is open everyday from 10 - 5 except for Tuesdays. It is $19 or $17 for seniors 55 +. If you're going to go, make sure you set aside enough time.

We went on a Friday and it was relatively busy. We also underestimated how much time we'd need to really see everything.

It started out with a little movie that talks about hatred, the holocaust and human rights in general. They don't just discuss the persecution of the Jewish community but also gays, blacks and...well, anyone not white.

When the film is done, you walk up some stairs (or you can take the elevator and skip this part) and at each landing there's another little discussion.

On this last landing before you go into the main room, there are family photos of  Jewish people that survived. The photos are all from BEFORE the Holocaust. 

When you go through the doors, you start off with Hitler's rise to power. The things that he did really resonate today in the current political climate.

There's is also a film that gives you a pretty good summary of Hitler's rise. It's interesting to be sure. At several of the stations, there are options to listen to a survivor's personal account. I did not anticipate that these accounts would be available and we did not allow ourselves enough time to take it all in.

All of the Jews in Europe at one point had to wear the yellow star on their clothing. These are the various types based on location.

They also have a World War II boxcar. Boxcars were essential to the "final solution" to move the Jews from their homes to the concentration camps. It's very eerie to step inside. 

On the other side of the box car is a list of the various camps where the Jews were taken. Again, you have the option of listening to personal accounts from survivors. 

These are actual uniforms that were worn by survivors. To the far left is one from Auschwitz worn by Aaron Rozenberg. The middle one is from Mauthausen worn by Ilso Loeb. The third one is from Offenburg worn by Victor Moravcik. All three prisoners were liberated.

Obviously we have to go back, and we will. But for now, it's a glimpse of what you can expect. We didn't even have a chance to look in the Human Rights Wing or the Pivot to America Wing. In addition, they have special exhibits that we, once again, didn't have a chance to check out.

Learn from me and plan your time. When we go back, I'll have updates! Enjoy..