“He who saves a single life, saves the world entire” – unknown.

In the countryside of Nottinghamshire lies the museum that educates people on the haunting yet unforgettable time of the Holocaust during World War Two. The National Holocaust Museum was the first museum to open in the United Kingdom that informs local people as well as tourists on the sickening stories of the concentration camps Adolf Hitler began functioning during the second world war.

After first being introduced to the journey millions of Jews took from their homes to the concentration camps, we exited out to the gardens. Although it felt peaceful and tranquil, there was a sense for a time of reflection; a time of recognition, a time of appreciation, a time of remembrance.

The gardens were my favourite part of our tour, and had a shelter-like feeling to it. The reasoning behind this is during the holocaust period, thousands of Jewish children fled from the distraught to hide in barns, under floorboards and various other uncomfortable, awkward spaces. The gardens mirror the sense of coverage and protection the children had during this time.

Nearing the end of our tour, we went into the main hall where we watched a 3D digital testimony of one of the Holocaust survivors: Steven Frank. The part that particularly touched me was Steven’s encounter of a man, whom he never knew the name of. Mr Frank had an interest in gardening, so when he found the unknown man tending to his tomato patch, he insisted on being the man’s ‘helper’. The man ended up leaving the camp (assumed to be murdered), and asked Steven to look after his tomato garden. 70 years later, to this day, Steven Frank still has a tomato garden and is eternally going to look after the stranger’s garden plot.

Visiting the National Holocaust Museum was an experience I have never had before; moving but educational. I was specifically moved by an accumulation of rocks, located directly next to the entrance (which also happened to be the exit). The mountain was and is still being made by the museum’s daily visitors, including myself, who each place a rock in remembrance of all the children who suffered like Steven Frank, and similarly to the children who had to hide in dirty, tight and difficult places during the Holocaust of World War Two.

The Garden of Reflection

The Garden of Reflection

Children’s Remembrance Rocks

Children’s Remembrance Rocks

Author: Melanie Towning