Nebraska History Museum unveils exhibits commemorating Holocaust survival

The Nebraska History Museum recently unveiled two new exhibits showcasing the stories of

Holocaust survivors who found themselves in Lincoln and Omaha following World War II.

“Portraits of Survival” features black and white portraits of several Holocaust survivors from all

walks of life. The portraits were accompanied by each survivor’s story of how they grew up, how

they faced persecution throughout the Holocaust, how they survived and how their lives turned

out post-war.

In a statement to KOLN news, Chris Goforth with Nebraska History said of the exhibit, “You

have various people that survived the Holocaust that found homes all across the world and they

found homes including here in Nebraska … it just shows that there is a connection to people

regardless of where you’re from or who you are to everyone else throughout the entire world.”

“The True Wartime Escape” is centered around the story of Margret and H.A. Reys, the creators

of the popular children’s book series “Curious George”. As Jews living in Nazi-occupied France,

the Reys faced persecution from their occupiers. The Reys eventually decided to escape

France, a journey that took them across Europe and eventually to the United States. Among the

belongings they brought from France were the early artwork and manuscripts from “Curious

George”.

Six Union College students explored the Nebraska History Museum in downtown Lincoln on April 12, examining Nebraska's rich history before its statehood and varied displays.

During the visit, Holly Anderson, a museum staff member, kindly shared her knowledge and expertise with the students, offering them valuable information during their visit. Having joined the museum eight months ago, Anderson expressed her passion for the job and the supportive community she has there. As a former English major, she now makes use of her communication abilities to improve the experiences of guests.

The students were particularly drawn to the "Portraits of Survival" exhibit, organized by photographer David Radler. Anderson stated, "This exhibit, featuring photographs of Holocaust survivors from Omaha and Lincoln, commemorates their resilience and the communities they rebuilt in Nebraska after World War II." Adjacent to this exhibit lies "The True Wartime Escape," a sentimental tribute to Margret and H.A. Rey's journey from France. Anderson fondly reminisced about her childhood love for Curious George, whose adventures are celebrated in this exhibit. The Rey exhibit goes beyond just honoring them; it represents the victory of survival and the influence of creativity.

As the students made their way through the exhibit, looking at the black and white displays on the walls, Anderson stressed that the photos were intended to capture moments of harmony, rather than evoke painful memories and bring up negative emotions for those being photographed.

Both exhibits, which were provided by the Institute for Holocaust Education in Omaha, will be on

display until 2026.

By Breanna Hawk