Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum Remembers the Holocaust

SS troops walk past a block of burning housing during the suppression of the Warsaw ghetto uprising. Date 1943 April 19 – 1943 May 16

Locale Warsaw, Poland Photo Credit United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration, College Park

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum in Carrabelle is presenting an exhibit to remember the Holocaust, Hitler’s program to commit genocide against those he deemed unworthy, especially Europe’s Jews.  This exhibit will open Tuesday, April 2 and will be on display at the museum until Saturday, April 27.  The museum is open every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm. There is no charge for admission, but donations are gladly accepted.

Beginning in 1933, the German Government established prison, labor, concentration, and extermination camps throughout their territories, including in countries they occupied before and during the war. Groups that were arrested and detained included Roma, Communists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, the disabled and especially Jews. Some 12 million people perished in the more than 44,000 facilities, ghettos and killing fields across Europe, including 6 million Jews. The Museum acknowledges the need for all citizens to understand this dark period of history, what caused it, who perpetrated it, and how some resisted and fought their captors. Eyewitnesses such as survivors and the soldiers that liberated these camps are aging and dying, but many have told their stories. Visitors are invited to come see this sobering exhibit, and help our society remember those that were victims of atrocity, prejudice, and hate.

The internationally recognized date for Holocaust Remembrance Day corresponds to the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar and it marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising which started on April 19, 1943. In Hebrew, Holocaust Remembrance Day is called Yom Hashoah. In 2024, Yom HaShoah will be recognized beginning at sunset on the evening of Sunday May 5 – Monday May 6.

Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum is located in Carrabelle, directly across from Carrabelle Public Beach Park at 1873 Hwy 98 West. For more information, contact the museum at (850) 697-8575 or museum@campgordonjohnston.com. Funded in part by the Franklin County Tourist Development Council.