Wire

Florida Holocaust Museum to permanently house Elie Wiesel’s personal collection

“This treasure trove of artifacts is a game-changer for the museum, St. Petersburg and our entire region,” said Michael Igel, board chairman of the Florida Holocaust Museum.

Michael Igel, board chairman of the Florida Holocaust Museum, speaks to the crowd gathered at the annual “To Life” gala on Feb. 3, 2024. Credit: Courtesy of the Florida Holocaust Museum.
Michael Igel, board chairman of the Florida Holocaust Museum, speaks to the crowd gathered at the annual “To Life” gala on Feb. 3, 2024. Credit: Courtesy of the Florida Holocaust Museum.

The Florida Holocaust Museum and the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity announce that the museum has been chosen as the permanent home of Elie Wiesel’s entire collection, including his Nobel Prize, the entire contents of his personal office and library, unfinished manuscripts, letters from world leaders and other luminaries, and a variety of artworks, photographs and recordings—some of which have never been seen.

“This treasure trove of artifacts is a game-changer for the museum, St. Petersburg and our entire region,” said Michael Igel, board chairman of the Florida Holocaust Museum. “Like the man himself, the Wiesel Collection will be a beacon of hope and a catalyst for action. Elie Wiesel was a master at explaining to all of us why the lessons of the Holocaust matter. Now, through innovative programming and exhibitions, the museum will use his voice to ensure that his legacy will always remain relevant.”

The Wiesel Collection will be a cornerstone of the permanent exhibition of the Florida Holocaust Museum, which is in the process of renovation and expansion. It will join a recently acquired boat used in the seaborne rescue that saved Denmark’s Jewish population, as well as a cattle car used to transport Jews to concentration camps.

Wiesel cut the ribbon at the Florida Holocaust Museum’s downtown location opening in 1998 and was a professor at St. Petersburg’s Eckerd College for nearly 30 years.

Florida Holocaust Museum
Michael Igel, board chairman of the Florida Holocaust Museum, speaks to the crowd gathered at the annual “To Life” Gala on Feb. 3, 2024. Credit: Courtesy of the Florida Holocaust Museum.

“I’m excited the Florida Holocaust Museum will be home to my father’s entire archive, including a re-creation of his office, honoring his unwavering dedication to truth, humanity and remembrance,” said Elisha Wiesel, son of Elie and Marion Wiesel, and chairman of the Elie Wiesel Foundation. “For almost 30 years, my father taught at Eckerd College, and he and my mother fell in love with St. Petersburg and the surrounding community, which is why I’m honored to be a part of solidifying the importance of this location to my father with the permanent exhibit of his collection.”

The collection will also be converted into an international traveling exhibition by the museum, making it available to Holocaust and genocide researchers around the world, and allowing both scholars and the public unprecedented access to Wiesel’s life and work.

The documents from Elie Wiesel’s library will be housed in Special Collections at Nelson Poynter Memorial Library on the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg Campus and will anchor USF’s new Elie Wiesel Center for Humanitarian Ethics.

Florida Holocaust Museum
Elie Wiesel’s office, where much of the archive material was culled. Credit: Courtesy.

“We are honored to work together with the Florida Holocaust Museum to create a hub of humanitarian activity and education worthy of such an extraordinary man,” said Rhea Law, president of the University of South Florida. “Together, we will build a center of intellectual activity that reflects Wiesel’s own life and learning. We are grateful for the trust placed in our university and stand ready to turn this vision into a reality.”

The museum announced the collection’s new home at its annual “To Life” gala on Feb. 3 at the Vinoy Resort in St. Petersburg, Fla. The theme this year was “From Generation to Generation,” a tribute to descendants of Survivors who, like Elisha Wiesel, carry on their legacy and work.

The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of millions of innocent men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. The museum is dedicated to teaching members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides. It is 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.

You have read 3 articles this month.
Register to receive full access to JNS.
About & contact The Publisher
Elie Wiesel and his wife, Marion, established the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity soon after he was awarded the 1986 Nobel Prize for Peace. For more than 30 years, the foundation’s mission—rooted in the memory of the Holocaust—has been to combat indifference, intolerance and injustice through international dialogue and youth-focused programs that promote acceptance, understanding and equality.
Releases published on the JNS Wire are communicated and paid for by third parties. Jewish News Syndicate, and any of its distribution partners, take zero responsibility for the accuracy of any content published in any press release. All the statements, opinions, figures in text or multimedia including photos or videos included in each release are presented solely by the sponsoring organization, and in no way reflect the views or recommendation of Jewish News Syndicate or any of its partners. If you believe any of the content in a release published on JNS Wire is offensive or abusive, please report a release.
Comments
Thank you. You are a loyal JNS Reader.
You have read more than 10 articles this month.
Please register for full access to continue reading and post comments.
Never miss a thing
Get the best stories faster with JNS breaking news updates