The University of South Carolina is opening the first Anne Frank Center in America, and the fourth center in the world. Interim President, Harris Pastides, visited the original center in Amsterdam and met the executive director. Two days after his retirement in 2018, UofSC became a partner of the Anne Frank House.
The new 1,060 sqft center located at the Barringer House — across from the Capstone building — is made up of 4 rooms created for reflection of the young teen’s life during WWII.
The museum includes photos, videos + artifacts, and 1 room will showcase the experience of hiding in an annex, including a replica of a bookcase door that she hid behind. Another room will host a glass door that timelines Anne’s life through photographs between 1934-1942.
Materials for the center were mostly provided by The Anne Frank House and an additional $100,000 was spent to renovate the Barringer House. The center will be open to the public and begin group tours on Sept.15. Individual visits are expected to begin before the end of 2021.
The center is funded by UofSC, the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, donations, grants, and various fees from visitors. Admission will be free, but an optional donation is encouraged.
Columbia’s last known Holocaust survivors — Bluma Goldberg and Marie Gross — died within 1 hour of each other from COVID-19 in February.
The new addition will also feature other historical figures like Martin Luther King, Jr. —who was the same age as Anne — and Emmett Till who died at 14 — the same age as Anne when she was captured. These American and German figures, along with the story of Anne, will be the focus of The Anne Frank Center to continue conversation, education, and allow viewers to reflect.
