EPHRAIM — Snow College’s Karen H. Huntsman Library has been chosen as one of the 50 libraries in the United States, and the sole location in Utah, to host “Americans and the Holocaust.” This traveling exhibition, organized by the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, delves into the motives, pressures, and fears that shaped Americans’ responses to Nazism, war, and genocide in Europe during the 1930s and 1940s.

The library exhibition, based on the esteemed exhibition at the museum in Washington, will journey through various U.S. libraries from 2020 to 2024.

“We are incredibly honored to have been selected among a competitive pool of over 250 applicants to host this significant and impactful exhibition,” expressed Jon Ostler, library director. “We invite community members to explore it, and we are excited to collaborate with schools to arrange field trips as well.”

The “Americans and the Holocaust” exhibition will be on display at the Huntsman Library, accompanied by a series of related special events, from Sept. 4 to Oct. 11.

Rooted in extensive new research of that era, “Americans and the Holocaust” delves into crucial themes in American history. It explores the multitude of factors — such as the Great Depression, isolationism, xenophobia, racism and antisemitism — that influenced the decisions made by the U.S. government, news media, organizations and individuals as they responded to Nazism. This exhibition challenges the commonly held assumptions that Americans were largely unaware and inactive in the face of Nazi persecution and the Holocaust.

Drawing from a remarkable collection of primary sources from the 1930s and ’40s, the exhibition focuses on the stories of individuals and groups of Americans who took action in response to Nazism. It prompts visitors to reflect on the responsibilities and obstacles faced by individuals — from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt to ordinary Americans — who grappled with difficult choices, sought to effect change, and, in a few instances, took significant risks to aid the victims of Nazism, even when rescue was not a government priority.

“Americans and the Holocaust: A Traveling Exhibition for Libraries” is an educational initiative presented by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in collaboration with the American Library Association.

The exhibition has been made possible through the generous support of lead sponsor Jeannie & Jonathan Lavine, with additional major funding provided by the Bildners — Joan & Allen z”l, Elisa Spungen & Rob, Nancy & Jim — as well as Jane and Daniel Och. The museum’s exhibitions also receive support from the Lester Robbins and Sheila Johnson Robbins Traveling and Special Exhibitions Fund, established in 1990.

For more information about “Americans and the Holocaust” and the related programming at the Huntsman Library, or to schedule a visit for your class or group, please visit snow.edu/holocaust. To learn more about the exhibition itself, please visit ushmm.org/americans-ala. For local inquiries, please contact Jon Ostler at ude.wons@reltso.noj or Carol Kunzler at ude.wons@relznuk.lorac.

Newsletter