Visiting the Holocaust Museum in Houston
Step into the corridors of history, where stories of resilience, remembrance, and reflection converge. The Holocaust Museum in Houston is not just a place; it’s a profound journey through time and humanity’s darkest hours.
As we embark on this emotional and enlightening guide, we’ll unravel the museum’s depths, explore its poignant exhibits, and honor the memory of those who endured unthinkable atrocities.
Prepare to be moved, educated, and inspired as we delve into the heart of this essential institution dedicated to preserving the past for a better future.
Background and History of the Holocaust Musuem in Houston
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
Holocaust Museum Houston is a museum dedicated to the solemn mission of educating both students and the wider public about the Holocaust and empowering people with information to make their own opinions and learnings.
The museum is the 4th biggest one dedicated to the Holocaust in the United States and was opened in March of 1996. Today, the impact of its exhibits sparks reflections in the form of notes, poems, artwork, and heartfelt gifts from locals and its visitors.
Each item in the collection is a testament to the profound and transformative experiences that occur within these walls.
The roots of this significant establishment can be traced back to 1981 when Siegi Izakson, a Holocaust survivor and a resident of Houston, had a profound realization after participating in an international gathering of Holocaust survivors in Israel.
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
He recognized the inevitable passage of time. As survivors grew older and eventually passed on, the living memory of unchecked prejudice and the poignant narratives of survival and resilience would fade away with them.
With this epiphany firmly in mind, Izakson returned to Houston, convinced that the city needed a dedicated Holocaust education center and memorial.
This institution would serve as a sanctuary for preserving the memory of those who tragically perished and for chronicling the harrowing stories of those who managed to survive.
Remarkably, just 13 years after Izakson first conceived of this visionary idea, Holocaust Museum Houston officially opened its doors on March 3, 1996. In a heartfelt declaration, Izakson even said, “This means the Holocaust story will not go away.”
It was a powerful affirmation of the museum’s crucial role in ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust would continue to resonate throughout history.
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
In June 2019, after a monumental $34 million expansion project, the Museum reopened its doors, more than doubling in size to encompass a sprawling 57,000 square feet of space complete with state-of-the-art classrooms and indoor and outdoor theaters
Now recognized as the fourth-largest Holocaust museum in the nation, the museum offers exhibits in both English and Spanish for inclusivity and maximum reach.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the narrative through more than 50 screens, mini-theaters, and interactive terminals that are thoughtfully integrated throughout the museum.
This expansion is a testament to the enduring importance of Holocaust education and remembrance in our society.
Address: 5401 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 942 8000
Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sunday – 12 pm to 5 pm
- Monday – Closed
Things to Know
Booking a ticket for the Holocaust Museum in Houston can be done through their website by credit card, but you can also buy tickets on site for those with international cards. Ticket prices are as follows:
- Adults: $22
- Senior Citizens: $16
- Below 18 years old and College students: Free
Best Time to Go
The Holocaust Museum Houston is the most packed with people on Sundays, so if you want to avoid the crowd, it’s best to schedule your visits on weekday mornings.
The museum is closed during most holidays except for the following:
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 16
- Memorial Day – May 29
- Juneteenth – June 19
- Labor Day – September 4
| Pro Tip: You can time your visits during special days when the museum offers free entrance to everyone. These days tend to get more visitors though so plan ahead! International Holocaust Remembrance Day – January 27, 2023Yom HaShoah – April 18, 2023 Walter Kase Free Admission Day – May 5, 2023Stefi Altman Free Admission Day – May 14, 2023 Veteran’s Day for active servicemembers and veterans – November 11, 2023 Human Rights Day – December 10, 2023 |
How to Get There
By Car
- From Downtown Houston: Head southwest on Caroline Street toward Gray Street. Turn left onto Bissonnet Street, and the museum will be on your right.
- From the Galleria Area: Take Westheimer Road westbound. Turn left onto Montrose Boulevard, and then turn right onto Bissonnet Street. The museum will be on your left.
There is parking available on site with the following fees:
- Below half an hour: Free
- Half an hour to 4 hours: $5
- 4 to 12 hours: $7
- 12 to 24 hours: $20
By Bus
You can take METRO Bus 056 from various locations and get off at the bus stop near the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) on Montrose Boulevard.
By Light Rail
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is accessible by METRORail. The nearest METRORail station to the museum is the Museum District Station, which is part of the Red Line.
Notable Things to See and Experience in the Museum
Start off at the Welcoming Center
Your journey begins at the Morgan Family Welcome Center, the museum’s gateway, where you’ll find an orientation film and an array of exhibition materials presented in both English and Spanish for a welcoming and inclusive experience.
Explore the Collection of Memorabilia
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
Bearing Witness: A Community Remembers is a permanent Holocaust Gallery. It serves as a testament to the resilience and spirit of those who survived. This space houses invaluable artifacts, generously donated by survivors, their descendants, and others.
As you explore, you’ll encounter over 10,000 items that once belonged to those directly impacted by the Holocaust, sharing their heartbreaking and inspirational stories.
What makes this exhibit even more powerful is its personal touch, with the testimony of Holocaust survivors who later made Houston their home.
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
You can learn about their incredible journey through unimaginable horrors and their unwavering courage in the face of adversity.
The exhibit also sheds light on both Jewish and non-Jewish resistance efforts, from the Warsaw Ghetto uprising to acts of sabotage, and the challenging life that followed the Holocaust.
Check out the World War II-era Railcar and the 1940s Danish Rescue Boat
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
Two artifacts stand side by side in the Holocaust Gallery, each with a unique story to tell. One is a Danish fishing boat as a tribute to the brave Danish fishermen who risked their lives to transport Jewish war victims to neutral territory during World War II.
The other is a haunting reminder of the past, a World War II-era railcar which is a replica of those that carried innocent souls to concentration camps and their tragic fate.
Have a Conversation With Survivors
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
The Dimensions in Testimony exhibition, is a groundbreaking initiative by USC Shoah Foundation.
Here, you’ll have the extraordinary opportunity to engage in “virtual conversations” with Holocaust survivors, including Houston’s own William J. “Bill” Morgan.
Through cutting-edge technology, ask questions of their HD projections and receive real-time responses through pre-recorded video images.
Each interview provides a unique glimpse into the survivor’s life, allowing you to interact as if they were in the room with you. The more questions you ask, the more the technology evolves, creating a lifelike and deeply moving experience.
Lester and Sue Smith Human Rights Gallery
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
The Lester and Sue Smith Human Rights Gallery, was built with the intention of letting history egg on the modern call for justice.
Here, you’ll find an educational tapestry that weaves together the threads of all UN-recognized genocides, a solemn tribute to human rights champions like Malala Yousafzai and Martin Luther King Jr.
This gallery stands as a cornerstone of Holocaust Museum Houston’s educational mission, where the spotlight is on human rights.
You’ll get to explore the evolution of human rights, from its humble beginnings to the pivotal moment when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights instated.
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
Through displays of contemporary examples of genocide and human rights abuses, the brave people who have fought for human rights worldwide are celebrated.
The Interfaith Champions of Hope, nestled within The Boniuk Center for the Future of Holocaust, Human Rights, and Genocide Studies, offers a tranquil space for introspection and meditation.
There’s also a Call to Action exhibit, that challenges you to grapple with complex societal issues, foster critical thinking, and encourages you to be part of the solution.
Read about the Holocaust from First Hand Retelling
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
The Rhona and Bruce Caress Gallery allows you to step into the world of young diarists who bore witness to the horrors of war and genocide.
The “And Still, I Write: Young Diarists on War and Genocide” installation in the gallery immerses you in their intimate narratives, with six interactive diaries stations featuring stories from 12 individuals in constant rotation.
Through cutting-edge technology, you can engage with these diaries and the young writers who, in the midst of adversity, sought to be heard.
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
From Jewish teenagers in Nazi Europe to youths in Japanese internment camps and beyond, their diaries stand as historical treasures, emphasizing the significance of listening to the voices of the youth.
Don’t forget to explore the historical exhibit on Anne Frank, bridging the past and present to ensure the lessons of history are never forgotten and mistakes that led to horrible moments don’t happen again.
Samuel Bak Gallery
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
Samuel Bak’s own story is deeply entwined with his art; born in 1933 in Vilna, Poland, his artistic talent was evident even as a child. Surviving the Holocaust alongside his mother, Bak’s works are a reflection of his life experiences.
The Holocaust Museum Houston houses the nation’s largest gallery dedicated to the painter Samuel Bak’s works. With over 130 of his creations in constant exhibition rotation, this gallery takes you on a journey through Bak’s artistic vision.
The artist invites guests to discover the symbolism embedded in his paintings as a means of reflecting on the events of the Holocaust and other genocides.
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
You begin your exploration of the 1,923-square-foot center by delving into the life of Samuel Bak. The circular gallery, made of three intimate spaces, offers a unique perspective on the event through art.
As you immerse yourself in his creations, you’ll gain insights into the events of the Holocaust and other genocides and be inspired to learn how to apply this knowledge to the pursuit of social resilience.
Learn about the Texas Liberators
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
“The Texas Liberator: Witness to the Holocaust” is a tribute to 25 USA soldiers who bore witness to the horrors of the concentration camps as they tried to save and liberate victims during World War II.
Although hailed as heroes by the survivors, the soldiers carried the haunting memories of what they had seen throughout their lives.
This powerful exhibit, curated by Texas Tech University in collaboration with the Texas Holocaust and Genocide Commission, offers an interactive journey for visitors through the experience of these brave men.
Here, you’ll be able to explore the individual panels, each honoring a Texas Liberator, including Houston’s own Johnnie Marino, “Chick” Havey, Ben Love, and A.I. Schepps.
There are also modern portraits by photographer Mark Umstot of these remarkable men. Don’t miss the Texas Liberator Honor Roll, a solemn record bearing the names of over 500 Texas Liberators.
Celebrate Beauty in Tragedy with Art
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
The Jerold B. Katz Family Butterfly Loft, a breathtaking sculpture that appears to flutter gracefully across all three floors of the museum greets you on the way out of the building.
This stunning installation comprises a mesmerizing swarm of 1,500 butterflies, each representing both a profound and heart-wrenching fact: 1,000 children for every single butterfly, symbolizing the 1.5 million innocent children tragically lost in the Holocaust.
Explore the Research Library
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
The Holocaust Museum Houston is home to the Boniuk Library, one of the largest repositories of data in the United States on the. It’s a treasure trove boasting over 10,000 volumes and a plethora of resources for in-house research and education.
Here, you’ll find access to more than 285 verbal testimonies, a valuable resource for those conducting genealogical searches.
Serving the needs of students, educators, and academics of all ages, the collection houses books, DVDs, recordings, databases, and periodicals in English, French, German, Hebrew, Spanish, and Yiddish.
Within the library, you’ll discover unique collections, from digital resources and rare books to Yizkor and Memorial books, and an assortment of self-published memoirs.
Grab a Bite to Eat
Image Source: Holocaust Museum Houston Website
When hunger strikes, the Legacy Café, located on the second floor of the Holocaust Museum Houston serves up espresso coffee, lattes, and a range of teas. They also have a kid-friendly menu with wraps and salads to sandwiches and more.
You can choose to eat in the cozy dining area right next to the café, or at the garden area on the first floor!
Things to Remember
- There’s no dress code, but visitors are encouraged to avoid revealing clothes. Plus, some parts of the museum are maintained at low temperatures so it’s best to dress in layers!
- You can’t take photos on the first floor.
- Cameras and picture taking are welcome on the second floor, but make sure you respect the solemnity of the exhibit by avoiding taking videos and using photography equipment and flashes.
- Arrive 15 minutes earlier because they take security very seriously.
- Be ready to have your bag searched and make sure any water you bring is in a container with a secured cover.
Where to Eat Nearby
Candente
Image Source: Candente Website
Address: 4306 Yoakum Blvd, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +1 346 867 1156
Pricing: $$
If you’re looking for a Tex-Mex experience that’s as vibrant as it is delicious, look no further than Candente. This industrial-style gem dishes out cocktails like margaritas and more adventurous takes like their Paloma made with Jarana blanco and aperol.
Whether you’re in the mood for sizzling fajitas, cheesy enchiladas, or grilled meats that hit the spot, Candente delivers. The atmosphere is as lively as the cuisine, making it a perfect spot to gather with friends and relive your Holocaust Museum Houston visit.
The Pit Room
Image Source: The Pit Room Website
Address: 1201 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +1 281 888 1929
Pricing: $$$
If your post-museum hunger leans towards barbecue, The Pit Room is your go-to spot. With a Central Texas-style BBQ that’s hard to beat, this place is a meat-lover’s paradise. Tender brisket, savory ribs, and smoky sausage are just the beginning.
They also serve up mouthwatering tacos, delectable desserts, and a selection of beer and wine to complement your meal. The rustic yet casual ambiance, complete with a welcoming patio, sets the stage for a satisfying barbecue experience.
El Pueblito Patio
Image Source: El Pueblito Patio Website
Address: 1423 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 520 6635
Pricing: $
Craving some Yucatecan cuisine in a laid-back setting? El Pueblito Patio is the answer. This Mexican gem is renowned for its tropical drinks, lush and expansive patio, and, of course, mouthwatering Yucatecan dishes.
Picture yourself sipping on a refreshing margarita under a canopy of greenery while savoring the flavors of authentic Mexican dishes like ceviche, nachos, and guacamole and chips. It’s an ideal spot to unwind after a day of museum exploration.
The Toasted Coconut
Image Source: The Toasted Coconut Website
Address: 1617 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 485 4775
Pricing: $$$
For a taste of the tropics after your museum visit, The Toasted Coconut is a must-visit. This casual eatery offers an array of tropical cocktails and international comfort food.
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic mojito or a creatively crafted cocktail like Ocean Water made with white and Jamaican rum, their drink menu won’t disappoint.
Pair your libation of choice with dishes that range from breakfast items like their spam breakfast sandwich to house specialties like their pork dumplings, lamb flatbread, and chickpea curry.
La Tapatia
Image Source: La Tapatia Website
Address: 1749 Richmond Ave., Houston, TX 77098, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 521 3144
Pricing: $
La Tapatia is the laid-back cantina you’ve been searching for, and it’s perfect for any time of day. From breakfast until late at night, they serve up Tex-Mex favorites that hit the spot.
Whether you’re craving huevos rancheros in the morning or indulging in savory enchiladas in the evening, La Tapatia has you covered.
Don’t miss out on their wide selection of margaritas, cocktails, and hard liquor. You can also order dessert like their churros and tres leches cake to end the meal on a sweet note.
Where to Stay Nearby
La Colombe d’Or hotel
Image Source: La Colombe d’Or Hotel Website
Address: 3410 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 524 7999
Pricing: $$$
Nestled in Houston’s vibrant Museum District, La Colombe d’Or Hotel offers an elegant and cultured retreat for those exploring the Holocaust Museum Houston.
This historic boutique hotel boasts a remarkable art collection, featuring works by renowned artists like Picasso and Matisse.
You can expect lavish accommodations, lush courtyards, and a dining experience that rivals any in the city. For those seeking a harmonious blend of culture and comfort, this hotel is an ideal choice.
Hotel ZaZa Museum District
Image Source: Hotel ZaZa Museum District Website
Address: 5701 Main St, Houston, TX 77005, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 526 1991
Pricing: $$$
If you’re looking for a unique and lively stay near the Holocaust Museum, Hotel ZaZa Museum District should be on your radar. This eclectic hotel in the Museum District offers an array of themed rooms and suites, each with its own distinctive personality.
From the exotic “Czar” suite to the playful “Rock Star” suite, there’s a room to match every taste. The hotel also boasts a poolside lounge and a gourmet restaurant, ensuring an unforgettable and stylish visit.
La Maison in Midtown
Image Source: La Maison Midtown Website
Address: 2800 Brazos St, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 529 3600
Pricing: $$
For a more intimate and cozy atmosphere, you should consider La Maison in Midtown as your place to stay. This boutique bed and breakfast exudes charm and character.
Guests can revel in beautifully decorated rooms, a tranquil courtyard, and a complimentary gourmet breakfast. The European inspired building also has a parlor and dining area decorated like traditional bed and breakfasts in the region it’s inspired by.
Its central location in Midtown makes it a convenient hub for accessing the museum and exploring other nearby attractions.
Hilton Garden Inn Houston Medical Center
Image Source: Hilton Garden Inn Houston Medical Center Website
Address: 6840 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Phone Number: +1 346 433 8200
Pricing: $
Convenience meets comfort at the Hilton Garden Inn Houston Medical Center. Situated just a short drive from the Holocaust Museum, this hotel provides well-appointed rooms equipped with modern amenities like a TV with access to a variety of streaming sites.
You can even unwind by the outdoor pool or relish a delicious meal at the on-site restaurant. Its proximity to the Medical Center area ensures easy access to the museum and other points of interest.
Home2 Suites by Hilton Houston Medical Center
Image Source: Home2 Suites by Hilton Houston Medical Center Website
Address: 6840 Almeda Rd, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Phone Number: +1 346 433 8200
Pricing: $
For travelers seeking an extended stay option, Home2 Suites by Hilton Houston Medical Center offers spacious and contemporary suites with fully equipped kitchenettes. This hotel is an excellent choice for families or guests like us who prefer a homey vibe.
For the affordable price, you get a lot back because the hotel offers a complimentary breakfast and access to lots of amenities. They have an outdoor pool you can take a relaxing dip in and a fitness center to stay on top of your exercise goals.
