Anne Frank: A History for Today

Our popular Anne Frank: A History for Today exhibition captures the experience of Anne Frank's life and is used as the foundation for our educational work in schools, community centres, prisons and young offenders’ institutes.

The life of Anne Frank, the rise of the Nazi party, the history of the Second World War and the appalling consequences of the Holocaust are the threads that run through the entire exhibition. By placing complex historical events against the backdrop of the life of one young person, the exhibition enables visitors to gain a greater understanding of the terrible human consequences of persecution and war.

Anne Frank: A History for Today covers a wide range of issues and themes and raises awareness of the following:

• Anne Frank’s diary
• The history of the Frank family
• Anne Frank’s childhood
• The secret hiding place
• The rise of Nazism and dismantling of democracy
• The courage of the helpers and resisters
• The introduction of the Nazi racist state
• The victims of the Holocaust
• The deliberate and organised nature of genocide
• Modern day extreme right wing political activity in Europe
• Personal testimonies
• Contemporary examples of racism and injustice in Britain today
• Human rights
• Moral choices

The exhibition challenges us to consider the contemporary relevance of these issues and leads the visitor to a greater understanding of the steps that we can all take as individuals to prevent the rise of prejudice and discrimination in our own communities.

Exhibition format and space requirements

The exhibition is available in two formats - one principally for use in prisons, the other for use in schools and community venues. Both exhibitions are extremely flexible and can be placed in most venues with a large classroom, reception area, gym or hall. 

The school and community exhibition (shown above) consists of 40 individual self-supporting panels, each of which contains illustrations, historical narrative and quotes from the diary of Anne Frank. The panels are made of strengthened flexible plastic and are extremely robust. The prisons exhibition is slightly larger with solid panels and metal stands.

Booking the exhibition

Our exhibitions are available for a minimum of one-week's hire and are delivered and built by members of Anne Frank Trust staff, who can also provide training and workshop activities. Please note that demand for our exhibitions is very high and, you may have to wait before we can accommodate your request.  

To book any of the exhibitions, please contact Ross White, Director of Resources: 020 7284 5858.