Monday, February 25, 2013

The Anne Frank Center USA

The Anne Frank Center USA


I was twelve years old when I first read The Diary of Anne Frank. I don't know why I wanted to read it, I do recall knowing about WWII and some things about the Holocaust because my grandfather fought in the war. And I was just a really, really empathetic and reflective child. Such a weirdo-I know hehe But I guess not much as changed. I read it because I wanted to. And I recall that while I was reading it, I could relate to so much Anne was talking about. I suppose we were both reflective and deep thinking children.

I also recall finding out after reading it that she died so close to the camp she was in being liberated. That just broke my heart and it still does.
Anne Frank's Diary
I began journaling at the age of nine. I still have all of my journals. I journaled from nine until my late 20's. My journaling went from writing about me to writing about my children and now I have scrapbook albums and baby books. I know how therapeutic writing can be and I know the power that releasing emotions/thoughts can be for your being. I can only imagine how writing in her journal must have pulled Anne through some tough times while she was in hiding.

This weekend I had the pleasure of going to The Anne Frank Center USA in Manhattan. I have never been there before but my friend Sean from The Fictionista mentioned this center to me and encouraged me to go. So grateful I did. Thank you Sean!
Anne Frank's Family
My husband and I were greeted by an outstanding staff who showed us around and answered all of our questions. A copy of Anne's dairy is on display, the original being in The Secret Annex. We were able to see many photos of the Frank family that I have never seen before. I must say it was lovely to see them up close and in person. I felt more connected to them. I thought a few times to myself, that family is our family. I am a mother now with three small children, what wouldn't I do for them...I can now not only relate to Anne but to her mother and father-Edith and Otto Frank.
There was also a detailed time line that we viewed. I learned SO much from reading it!
We also watched a documentary on Anne Frank that I found fascinating and emotional. So many questions and thoughts were swimming in my head afterwards. I did find some answers to my questions via the ipad. I loved it. I got to watch an interview with Miep Gies who helped hide and care for the Franks and others while they were in hiding. Just to give you a taste of that interview-when asked why she helped them-her answer was, "because it was the natural thing to do." She was an incredible woman who never saw herself as someone special because of what she did. She passed on in 2010 and the beautiful age of 100. Bless her.
The center also hosts educational workshops and lectures as well as hosting various exhibits throughout the year. Anne Frank has been special to me for a very long time but now her whole family is. Now that I am a woman and a mother, I can really appreciate her story on a deeper and different level. I can also now look at things from a different angle and ask myself some harder questions. Questions like "why do these things happen?" and "what would I have done?"

The day I went out was a deary, rainy, and cold day in New York. I had a fabulous outfit planned that was inspired by Anne Frank but I would have to wear that another time. I threw on my trusty vintage jeans, a white blouse, black cardigan, and a snood. I did wear a brooch that was purchased via Etsy from a woman who was selling her late aunts jewelry. It is from the 1940's and she told me it was from during the war. I love simple pieces like these-don't you?

When you get a chance, please stop by The Anne Frank Center USA. It is located just two blocks North of the World Trade Center site. It is something you should not miss out on. And their staff was truly phenomenal. My husband and I chatted with one of the staff members for almost an hour and a half. He was just glowing with goodness and good energy. Talking to him was like talking to a kindred spirit. 

So, my head and my heart were filled and satisfied that day. Afterwards, we went out to eat at a cool little joint in Manhattan that I will share with all of you in Hey Doll Vintage Magazine's Issue Two coming out on March 2nd!

xox

20 comments:

  1. What a lovely post! I hope to visit the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam one day. I just have to get my husband to stand in the long lines:) He saw it so many times growing up that it is not a big deal to him. I also thought it very tragic that Anne had to die so close to her liberation time. She really was wise beyond her years. A very beautiful soul that didn't need to die so young. I have wondered exactly who turned her in and how they felt about themselves for doing this.
    You look lovely! Did you get any remarks on your vintage attire?

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  2. I hope you get to do it. My husband went when he was younger-lucky guy! I wonder that too-who turned them in. The things people had to live with. I cannot imagine. Thank you hehe People did look and the staff loved my vintage outfit hehe thanks hun!! xox

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  3. What a lovely post :-) Wish we had something so wonderful and informative over here in Englad. I read the the diary a few years ago and found it very moving. In 2010, the BBC did a brilliant 5 part series called The Diary of Anne Frank. It was beautifully done. If it ever gets shown over there, it's truly worth watching x

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    1. Oh thank you Lucy! I am going to search for that! Sounds like something imp to watch!! xox

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  4. Oh you look great! The story about Anna is so sad!Would u like to follow each other on gfc and fb? Kisses from Norway!

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  5. I would love to visit that centre, I also read the book when I was 12 like Anna, and felt truly touched by her story, I want to go to this centre now, I didn't know there was one in Manhattan, I was really close to visit the place where she was hidden in Amsterdam but the line was too long and didn't got the time. So sad!
    Kisses

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    1. Oh you are the second person to talk about the long lines there! Gah! I say its worth it. I will remember that when I go one day hehe I highly recommend going. I hope you do go!! xox

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  6. Such a sad story, poor little girl. Growing up, my Italian Grandfather would visit for the summer and his best friend would stop by to play cards. My Grandfather's friend was a Polish concentration camp survivor, tattoo and all, the stories he told us were frightening.

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    1. I can only imagine the stories he told. My grandpa refused to speak of it. He had a bad limp from being shot in the hip while in France so I knew of some stories growing up. Tragic that the elder folks in my family thought it best not to speak of it. I could have learned a lot by hearing those stories. Thank goodness we have others to hear and learn from! xox

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  7. How wonderful for you to experience this! We have a Holocaust museum here locally created by two Holocaust survivors. One of which I had a chance to meet on my 16th b-day and even got her autograph in her book. No matter what my age is, I know the story of Anne's will always effect me. She's such a huge part of my life. At age 11 I first read her diary and was blown away how much we had in common. How lovely would it have been to have read Margot's too?

    PS Thank you for the shout out, dear Bunny! :)

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    1. Oh Sean that is so neat and what a blessing too! My pleasure for the shout out! xox

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  8. Dear Bunny, I don't think it's "weird" at all that you were drawn to reading about Anne Frank at a young age. I became incredibly interested in the events of WW2 and the Holocaust during my childhood, too. Quickly reading every single topic my school library, then the public library, and later my high school library had on the topic. Gripped, moved and fascinated by the horrors of what transpired, determined to learn as much as I could as a personal way of preserving and honouring the memory of all those who were touched by this unmatched period of darkness in human history.

    So many of us are moved by the events of WW2 in different ways, and I think it's wonderful that there are places like AF Center USA to ensure that the memory what transpired doesn't fade from humanity's collective mind (even long after the last Holocaust survivor has one day passed on).

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Thank you Jessica. What you wrote means a great deal to me!! xox

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  9. She indeed had a sad story. I understand, in part, why the older generation who lived through the horror don't want to talk about it, as Im sure its a memory that they would rather forget, but at the same time, if its not remembered and spoken of, then the younger generation will never know, the horror will be forgotten, and nothing will be in place to prevent history from repeating itself. Which is why having a center like this is such a wonderful thing! So glad you shared it with us.

    Love your outfit, btw. =)

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  10. Anne truly has been an inspiration to a lot of (young) people, including me too. I'm glad you got your time with her and have been able to connect with the family. Maybe someday you'll see the possibility to visit the secret annex.

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  11. Fantastic post, Bunny! I also became interested in Anne Frank as a young girl. She was such a brave soul to be so young. Its almost impossible not to be inspired by her. It seems like a great day. And you look fab by the way ;)

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  12. Aww thank you sweets!!! I agree 100% xox

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