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The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (USHMM) and the American Library Association (ALA) Public Programs Office present Americans and the Holocaust, a traveling exhibition hosted by the Independence Public Library, that examines the motives, pressures and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s.
The Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibition addresses important themes in American history, including Americans’ responses to refugees, war and genocide. This exhibition will challenge the commonly held assumptions that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution and murder of Jews as the Holocaust unfolded.
Drawing on a remarkable collection of primary sources, the exhibition focuses on the stories of individuals and groups of Americans who took action in response to Nazism. It will challenge visitors to consider the responsibilities and obstacles faced by individuals — from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to ordinary Americans — who made difficult choices, sought to effect change, and, in a few cases, took significant risks to help victims of Nazism even as rescue never became a government priority.

Exhibit Location

Independence Public Library
220 E Maple St
Independence, KS 67301

Phone: 620.331.3030

Exhibit Hours

  • Sunday – 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Monday – 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Tuesday – 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Wednesday – 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
  • Thursday – 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Friday – 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday – 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Schedule of Events

Opening Reception *
Saturday, June 23, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Liberators: Witnesses to the Holocaust, Speaker: Jim Robinson from Wichita, KS.
The accounts of ordinary soldiers—one a Kansan and another a Pole—who were some of the first witnesses to the horrifying truth about the Nazi death machine, provide an unforgettable look beneath civilization’s thin veneer at the consequences of hatred, bigotry, intolerance, and perceptions of racial superiority.

New Chapters Club *
Wednesday, June 23, 1:00 PM
Virtual reading and discussion group for persons with disabilities.

Schindler’s List
Thursday, June 28, 2:00 PM
A movie matinee at the library.

The Unwanted Book Discussion
Tuesday, August 2, 6:00 PM
Join Bill Gour as he leads a discussion of Michael Dobbs, “The Unwanted: America, Auschwitz, and a Village Caught in Between.” Books are available at the library for checkout.

Cabaret
Thursday, August 4, 2:00 PM
A movie matinee at the library.

The Pink Triangle Legacies *
Thursday, August 4, 7:00 PM
Discover the Nazi’s persecution of the LGBT community, presented by author Dr. Jake Newsome. Presented in partnership with Project Q&A.

Casablanca
Thursday, August 11, 2:00 PM
A movie matinee at the library.

Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitlers Germany *
Sunday, August 14, 2:00 PM
Presented virtually by author Andrew Maranis, discover Kansas’ ties to the 1936 Olympics, and hear about th3 1936 Olympic games. Mr. Maranis’ book is available to check out at the library.

The Courageous Heart
Thursday, August 18, 2:00 PM
A movie matinee at the library.

Irena’s Children: A True Story of Courage Book Discussion
Thursday, August 18, 4:00 PM
Join Nancy Kishpaugh as she leads a discussion of Tilar J. Mazzeo’s “Ireana’s Children: A True Story of Courage.” Books are available at the library for checkout.

Disinformation and Propaganda
Sunday, August 21, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
What did the people of the 1940s know about the Holocaust? Did they believe everything they read coming out of Germany and other Places? Discover how disinformation and propaganda played a role in the war. This program has a youth component. At 3:00 PM youth can explore propaganda and create posters.

Closing Reception *
Thursday, August 25, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Join us for the closing reception of the Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibition. The closing reception will feature a virtual interview of a Holocaust survivor, led by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum.

Viewing of Holocaust videos are available daily at the library on the 1st Floor, Monday through Friday.

* denotes virtual option available. Visit iplks.org to register for the virtual link. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR VIRTUAL EVENTS

Videos Coming Soon

Resources Coming Soon

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