Last updated: 1/16/2014
Richmond, Virginia
Address
2000 East Cary Street
Richmond, VA 23223
phone: 804-257-5400
fax: 804-257-4314
web: www.va-holocaust.com

Hours

Monday - Friday
10 AM - 5 PM
Saturday
11 AM - 5 PM

Admissions

For groups larger than 10, the Museum provides docents to guide them through the exhibits. The Museum can accommodate up to 120 guests at one time. To schedule a tour of the Museum please fill out a Group Tour Reservation Form at least three weeks prior to the desired date.

Free

Staff

Charlie Sydnor
phone:
Charles Coulomb
phone:
Megan Ferenczy
phone:
Tim Hensley
phone:
Matt Simpson
phone:
Rhys Van Lienden
phone:
Description

The Virginia Holocaust Museum was founded in 1997 by Mark E. Fetter, L. Al Rosenbaum, and one of Richmond’s youngest Holocaust survivors, Jay M. Ipson, in an effort to preserve and educate people on the atrocities of the Holocaust of World War II. The Museum had a singular mission, “Teaching Tolerance Through Education.”

Today, the Virginia Holocaust Museum features 28 exhibits including “The Ipson Saga,” which documents the story of Museum Director and Founder, Jay M. Ipson and his family from pre-war Lithuania, through their escape and liberation. But, the Museum is more than just one family’s story. Changing exhibits tell the stories of other Virginia related survivors, liberators and witnesses through photographs and artifacts.

The Virginia Holocaust Museum strives to provide guests with an interactive experience. Whether its by crawling through a hiding place, or boarding a genuine World War II era cattle car, the Museum’s hands-on exhibits encourage visitor participation.

The newest exhibit, The Nuremberg Trials Courtroom Exhibit, officially opened in May 2008 and is the only known existing replica of the famous courtroom that set the standard for modern international law.

Also included in the museum, is a replica of the famous Chor Schul (synagogue) in Lithuania, as well as a cattle car and Survivor’s Room for quiet meditation and reflection. Additionally, the Museum’s library contains more than 4,000 documents, movies and books pertaining to the Holocaust.

Through tours, programs, lectures, films and other events, the Virginia Holocaust Museum strives to educate the public and promote tolerance.

History

The Virginia Holocaust Museum was founded in 1997 by Mark E. Fetter, L. Al Rosenbaum, and one of Richmond’s youngest Holocaust survivors, Jay M. Ipson, in an effort to preserve and educate people on the atrocities of the Holocaust of World War II. The Museum had a singular mission, “Teaching Tolerance Through Education.”

The Museum was originally located in several unoccupied rooms of Temple Beth El in Richmond, Virginia. It flourished and quickly outgrew its limited space by the year 2000. It was then that the Virginia State Legislature donated an old tobacco warehouse in historic Shockoe Bottom to be the new home to the Virginia Holocaust Museum. The new site was dedicated during Yom Ha’Shoah v’Ha’Gvruah (Day of Remembrance and Heroism) in April, 2003.

Educational Programs

Tolerance Through Education, the mission statement of the Virginia Holocaust Museum, is exemplified through the educational opportunities offered by the museum's education department. It includes:

Educating Virginia public, private, and home school students about the Holocaust and genocide through tours and programs
Educating Virginia's teachers through classes and resources
Informing local and state governments about the need to increase Holocaust and genocide education in the Commonwealth of Virginia
Library
Access: General Public
Appointment required: No
Publications

The Museum publishes a quarterly newsletter.
De Malyene
Services
For Very Special Rentals

The Virginia Holocaust Museum features facilities suitable for events of all sizes and types including weddings, receptions, conferences and meetings as well as Bar and Bat Mitzvahs.

Facility spacing includes: Large auditorium which can accommodate up to 375 guests, Additional space in the auditorium balcony, A 5300 square foot classroom (can be used as a flexible meeting space), A multi-purpose room and Two art galleries.

Gift Shop

The Museum Shop offers a rich selection of age-appropriate books about the Holocaust and genocide that will continue the educational journey a visit initiates. The Shop also carries an array of DVDs including two Museum productions: The Ipson Saga and The Nuremberg Trials Courtroom. Visitors will find an assortment of posters, postcards, small souvenirs and Judaica items. The Shop is open during Museum hours.

Gift Shop
Special Event Rental
Group Tours
ADA
Wheelchair Accessible
Parking
Restrooms
Exhibitions
Museum Events
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

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