‘Shared humanity’: Holocaust Museum reopens

What Lt. Gov. Jay Collins called “truly one of the state’s crown jewels” has a new shine and impactful exhibits following the long-awaited completion of an $8 million project.

Collins joined several current and former local leaders in celebrating the Florida Holocaust Museum’s reopening Tuesday morning. The institution closed in July 2024 for extensive renovations and an expansion that will showcase more of its over 22,000 artifacts. 

Several Holocaust survivors and their descendants also attended the invitation-only event at 55 5th St. S. in downtown St. Petersburg. Mayor Ken Welch noted the educational institution and “pillar of this community” has ensured that “we never forget one of our world’s darkest chapters” for over three decades. 

“By telling the stories of those who suffered, those who were murdered and those who survived, we reaffirm our collective resolve to stand against hatred and intolerance, in all its forms,” Welch said. “We remain dedicated to preserving history so that future generations will know the truth and learn from these critical lessons. 

“As we cut this ribbon today, we are, of course, celebrating the opening of a building. But more importantly, we are opening hearts and minds to the vital importance of remembrance, education and our shared humanity.” 

Myriad current and former officials from St. Petersburg to Tallahassee attended the event.

The museum has a new, modernized facade and entrance with enhanced security features. Multiple speakers noted the importance of the latter upgrade amid persistent antisemitism.

Visitors, who can now only carry clear bags, will immediately see a refreshed core exhibition, “History, Heritage and Hope,” that encompasses the entire first floor and traces the Holocaust from its origin to its aftermath.

The exhibition also features a much-anticipated new artifact: A 10-ton Danish fishing boat dubbed Thor. The private vessel was among a massive flotilla that carried over 7,000 Jews, nearly the entire population in Nazi-occupied Denmark, to neutral Sweden in 1943. 

While museum officials commemorated the acquisition in October 2023, Thor remained locked in a Largo storage facility due to space constraints. Irene Weiss and Margot Benstock, daughters of Danish survivors who led the local effort to acquire the boat, addressed attendees Tuesday morning. 

Weiss noted their late parents have 76 direct descendants who “would not have lived if not for the bravery of the Danish people.” She called the vessel a “shining symbol of rescue, moral courage and hope.” 

“This history, and having Thor in our midst, reminds us that doing the right thing begins with ordinary people like you and me,” Weiss added. “Thor tells the story about how hope can triumph over evil.” 

This Danish Rescue vessel saved an untold number of Jews from Nazi atrocities in World War II.

The 34-foot boat juxtaposes tragedy and hope as it sits alongside one of the few remaining boxcar models the Nazis used in their quest to systematically eliminate Jews. “St. Petersburg is the perfect home for this museum – we are a city that honors our history and actively learns from it,” Welch said. 

The reopening also provided a first look at the prized Elie Wiesel Collection, entrusted to the museum in early 2024. Wiesel was a Nobel Laureate, author, advocate and Holocaust survivor who President Barack Obama called the “moral conscience of our world.” 

While the museum initially opened in 1992, Wiesel helped cut a ribbon on the current facility in 1998. Marissa Daniel, program coordinator at the Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity, noted that Wiesel and his wife Marion “spent many years down here in St. Petersburg.” 

“When the proposal from the Florida Holocaust Museum arrived, we all knew it would be a good home to protect and provide modern-day context for the life and legacy of Elie (Wiesel),” Daniel said. “We can all rest assured that these important stories and teachings will not be lost to time.” 

Additional upgrades include a second-floor terrace for quiet reflection. Museum CEO Eric B. Stillman said his team “reimagined the littlest details” for a “more immersive and visitor-focused experience.” 

Rep. Lindsay Cross receives a first look at the Elie Wiesel Collection.

Collins said his attendance was “not about politics – this is about people.” 

Sen. Nick DiCeglie and Rep. Linda Chaney helped the museum secure over $11 million in state funding for construction and $2.5 million for programming. “It’s an institution that the governor, our legislature, our cities, our communities and, more importantly, our people have all gotten behind,” Collins said. 

Collins said “moments like this” should remind Floridians that “we have so much more in common than that which divides us.” The Purple Heart recipient added that leaders should put “people ahead of politics,” and their “own personal safety.” 

“The lessons of the Holocaust are timeless,” Stillman said. “And so is our duty to the memory of innocent men, women and children who suffered or died in the Holocaust. It is also our mission to teach all people the inherent worth and dignity of all human life to prevent future genocides.” 

The museum is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday. Visitors will receive free admission Wednesday. 

Dozens of attendees were either Holocaust survivors or their direct descendants.