The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum --- is right here in my own back-yard *

[Oopsie Daisy]

* but I've never visited. I just don't have the emotional courage to. I even get anxious and have a feeling of dread and "panic" whenever I've driven by... I have to compose myself and take a deep breath. One day I might visit, but confronting that tragic history is distressing.

Have any DUers ever visited the Holocaust Memorial Museum? What was it like for you?

I wonder if the staff/volunteers are trained to spot and help visitors who are emotionally overwhelmed by it all. Whether it's a multimedia display, or photos, letters, personal items, clothing, documents/passports, and other artifacts, I'm sure it would be very difficult to bear.

https://www.ushmm.org/

https://www.ushmm.org/remember/holocaust-survivors

https://www.ushmm.org/antisemitism

[atreides1]

1. I'm here Monday-Friday

But then again I work at the Museum. And even though I've worked here for going on 19 years...I have to steel myself to come in here every morning.

The Museum has a great and well trained Visitor Services staff, an onsite nurse if required, and the security personnel are very helpful.

[Docreed2003]

3. My son will be visiting your museum as a part of his 8th grade class trip today

I'm glad that his school has chosen to tour the museum as a highlight of their DC trip. When I toured, I found it to be one of the most powerful experiences.

[Oopsie Daisy]

5. How did it go? Eighth graders should be resilient enough to be able to process *

* everything without getting too emotional. It may be that the OLDER we get, that ability to emotionally detach (or not become emotionally involved) is something that diminishes over time.

I hope that your son and his classmates were able to learn much. (It was a lovely day in DC for a field-trip.)

[Docreed2003]

6. They just got back into town late last night so I haven't had much time to speak with him

You could tell it left a helluva impression on him because when I ask him what he thought of the museum his face became somber and he just said "It was so powerful".

[Oopsie Daisy]

4. Thanks for checking in with that information.

Obviously, you guys have to be prepared for just about any possibility. It must be a very rewarding, if not challenging job. But since you've been there for nearly 19 years, I guess you enjoyed a lot.

[mcar]

2. Visited a few years ago

It is an intense emotional experience - and also an amazingly designed museum.

I recommend it to everyone.

[BlueWaveNeverEnd]

7. there is one in Los Angeles.

https://www.holocaustmuseumla.org/

[DFW]

8. The one in D.C.?

I was there over 20 years ago.