Anne Frank House Exhibition Travels to Chicago, Extending Its Global Reach
"Anne Frank The Exhibition," a compelling presentation from the Anne Frank House, is set to open in Chicago following a successful year in New York City. The exhibition will be hosted at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry (Griffin MSI), continuing its international tour due to its impactful and unique nature. Visitors can experience the exhibition in Chicago starting May 1, 2026.
A Unique Journey Through History
This exhibition offers a profound experience, inviting visitors to step into a meticulously recreated, full-scale, and furnished reconstruction of the Annex rooms. This is where Anne Frank, her family, and four other individuals lived in hiding for two years during World War II. The narrative unfolds through Anne Frank's life story, from her early childhood in Frankfurt am Main, the rise of the Nazi regime, and her family's relocation to Amsterdam, to their time in hiding and subsequent arrest. The exhibition traces their tragic journey through Westerbork and Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps, culminating in Anne’s death at Bergen-Belsen.
The exhibition also highlights Anne Frank's literary contributions and her enduring global significance. Her father, Otto Frank, the sole survivor among those hidden in the Annex, dedicated himself to ensuring his daughter's diary was published and her story shared worldwide.
Original Artifacts and Personal Stories
A central feature of "Anne Frank The Exhibition" is the detailed, life-size reconstruction of the Annex, authentically furnished to reflect the period of hiding. The display includes over 130 original items from the Anne Frank House collection. Among these are Anne Frank’s first photo album, a typed and handwritten invitation she sent to a friend for a film screening (at a time when anti-Jewish measures prohibited Jews from public cinemas in 1942), and handwritten verses by Anne and her sister Margot from friends' poetry albums. Also featured is "Aus Grimms Märchen: 20 der schönsten Märchen der Brüder Grimm," a German fairy-tale book that belonged to both sisters.
Visitors will also see an accurate replica of Anne Frank's iconic red-checkered diary. The original red-checkered diary and subsequent volumes are permanently displayed at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
Reflecting on Timeless Messages
Ronald Leopold, Executive Director of the Anne Frank House, emphasizes the exhibition's role as a catalyst for contemplation. He notes that experiencing the world of Anne and her family serves as a powerful reminder of the persistent issues of antisemitism, racism, and hatred today. "Commemoration is not something passive—it is a moral act that calls for empathy, engagement, and reflection on the times in which we live," Leopold states. The Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, committed to making knowledge accessible, aligns with this perspective, embodying a shared sense of moral responsibility.
To further its educational outreach, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry is offering free admission to the exhibition for school groups from Chicago and across Illinois. Additionally, all participating students will receive a diary, encouraging them to reflect on Anne's words and recognize the power of their own voices.
Musemap (musemap.art) helps you discover cultural experiences. To learn more about the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and other significant sites, you can explore museums in Amsterdam or view them on the Amsterdam map.
