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Objects on loan from the State Museum of Majdanek include shoes,
mugs, a camp uniform, a key, and a Jewish Prayer book
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July 24, 2017 [St. Petersburg, FL] — This week, The Florida Holocaust Museum (The FHM) received several objects on loan from the State Museum of Majdanek. These objects will go on view at The FHM in the coming weeks in its permanent exhibition History, Heritage and Hope and will remain on display for three years.
This small collection of objects includes several shoes, including a baby shoe and children’s shoes, a key, a razor, a Jewish prayer book, and hairbrush.
“These items were likely taken from individuals upon arrival to the Majdanek Concentration Camp,” said Erin Blankenship, The FHM’s Curator of Exhibitions and Collections. “As Majdanek was also a killing center, it is likely that at least some of these individuals, especially the children, would have been selected for murder upon arrival to the camp.”
Central to The FHM’s mission is the use of objects, artifacts, and art to relate the personal stories of individuals who experienced the Holocaust. While the artifacts on display are primarily from the Museum’s own collection, it works with institutions from around the world in order to tell the most complete history of the Holocaust and to showcase the variety of experiences. The FHM staff worked through a lengthy process with the State Museum of Majdanek as well as the governments of Poland and the United States in order to secure the loan of these important objects.
Other items include two bowls, two mugs, and two spoons.
“These items would have belonged to prisoners that survived the selections and were vital to the survival of an individual. While food was meager and of poor quality, prisoners needed these utensils for the often watery soup that they would receive, without it they would not eat,” said Blankenship.
There is also a camp uniform made from civilian clothing.
“When no striped uniform was available, some prisoners would be given civilian clothing, but with a painted orange strip on the front and back so that guards didn’t mistake them for civilians. Therefore they could not escape,” said Blankenship.
Majdanek was a concentration and forced labor camp, that was also used as a extermination camp. The camp opened in September 1941 and was liberated by the Soviet Army in July 1944. Among an estimated 150,000 prisoners who entered Majdanek, approximately 80,000 people, including 60,000 Jews, were killed.
The Florida Holocaust Museum is located at 55 5th Street S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
About The Florida Holocaust Museum
2017 marks a monumental milestone for The Florida Holocaust Museum (The FHM) as the Museum celebrates its 25th Anniversary. One of the largest Holocaust museums in the country, and one of three nationally accredited Holocaust museums, The FHM honors the memory of millions of men, women and children who suffered of died in the Holocaust. The FHM is dedicated to teaching members of all races and cultures the inherent worth and dignity of human life in order to prevent future genocides. For additional information, please visit www.TheFHM.org.
Photos and credits  Object Description: Shoes, a Jewish prayer book, a key, a razor, hairbrush, two spoons, two bowls, and two mugs from Majdanek.
Photo Credit: The Florida Holocaust Museum
 Object Description: Inside back cover of Jewish prayer book from Majdanek.
Photo Credit: The Florida Holocaust Museum
 Object Description: Two children’s shoes and baby shoe from Majdanek.
Photo Credit: The Florida Holocaust Museum
 Object Description: Camp uniform made from civilian clothing from Majdanek.
Photo Credit: The Florida Holocaust Museum
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