Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank story is world famous of how her and the Frank family hid from the Nazis for over two years. Anne Frank and her family hid in the back part of the house at Prinsengracht 263, where Anne's father Otto Frank had his business. The Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer also hid there. The entrance to the back of the house wad hidden behind a revolving cupboard made especially for that purpose. Anne's Diary which she kept survived the war.
After their betrayal and capture it was found by Miep Gies, one of the helpers. When it was confirmed that Anne would not be returning she kept it safe until after the war ended.
The first original diary and other pieces of writing by Anne Frank are also displayed in the museum. In the multimedia area, visitors can make a virtual tour of the Anne Frank House and obtain information about the people in hiding and the Second World War.
The office staff knew that the families were hiding there and helped them by bringing food and news from outside. On 4 August 1944 somebody betrayed their hiding place. The eight people were deported to various concentration camps. Otto Frank was the only one to survive the war. Although now empty, the rooms in the Anne Frank House still exude the atmosphere of that period. Quotes from Anne's Frank diary, historical documents, photographs, films and original objects belonging to the people in hiding and their helpers conjure up images of the events that took place there.
After Germany invaded Holland / Netherlands in 1940 they
immediately introduced severe measures against the Jewish population and eventually started rounding them up to be transported to various camps but mostly to Westerbork in Drenthe. The Frank family went into hiding hoping to Escape being rounded up by the Nazi's.
Otto Frank and his family including Anne began hiding in a building on the Prinsengracht. They where later joined by the Family Dean.
The building being a typical Dutch house comprised of two parts, the front half (front house) and the back half (Behind house (annex) typical of Dutch houses from the 17th century.
Otto Frank's business operated from the front house. The upper floors at the back house contained 5 rooms which became their hiding place for a little over two years but were finally caught after being turned in by a Dutch / Nazi collaborator.
Anne and Margot were send to Bergen-Belsen where they both died early in 1945 just a few weeks before it was liberated by the allied forces.
Otto Frank the sole surviving family member of the family returned after the ending of the war and was given Anne's Diary.
In 1947, Anne's diary was published for the first time and now more than 50 years later, Anne's diary has been read by people the world over and translated into many languages.
1957
The Frank buildings was due for Demolition so a group of local people stepped in to save the building and soon afterwards the Anne Frank House opened its doors. Besides managing the museum, the Anne Frank House develops educational products and activities to promote tolerance and mutual respect in society.
Visiting the Anne Frank House. Usually there is a large queue outside no matter when you go. TIP- Get your tickets in advance from any of the tourist offices.
Hiding behind a movable bookcase
To keep the secret area secret they arranged to have a book case built to disguise the entrance to look like a bookcase which operated like a secret door.
The Secret hiding place was located in the upper back part of the building as business carried on as usual, in the front part of the building, while the Frank family were hiding in the upper back house.
Also visit http://www.annefrank.com
