Walking Through History: The New England Holocaust Memorial

The New England Holocaust Memorial, located in Carmen Park along the Freedom Trail, is a powerful and thought-provoking tribute to the six million Jews and other victims who were systematically murdered during the Holocaust. The memorial was created as a public space for reflection and remembrance of one of the most devastating events in human history.

Location and History of the Memorial

The Boston Holocaust Memorial was designed by Stanley Saitowitz, a San Francisco-based architect, and was opened to the public in 1995. The memorial comprises six glass towers, each 54 feet tall, representing the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust. The towers are arranged in two rows of three, and each is etched with numbers representing the tattoos branded on the arms of concentration camp prisoners. The towers are on a black-granite path, representing the rail lines transporting people to the concentration camps.

The Boston Holocaust Memorial is located in Carmen Park, a small green space near Faneuil Hall and the New England Aquarium. The location was chosen because it is on the Freedom Trail, a popular tourist destination that attracts millions annually. The Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile route that passes by 16 historical sites in Boston, including the Massachusetts State House, the Paul Revere House, and the Old North Church.

Exploring the Memorial – Highlights and Experiences

The Boston Holocaust Memorial is a solemn and moving tribute to the victims of the Holocaust, and it is a powerful reminder of the horrors of that time. Visitors to the memorial can walk through the six towers and experience the silence and isolation that the victims of the Holocaust must have felt. The towers are lit from within, creating an eerie and haunting atmosphere.

One of the highlights of the memorial is the inscription on the ground in front of the towers. The inscription reads, “I believe in the sun even when it is not shining. I believe in love even when I cannot feel it. I believe in God even when He is silent.” The words are from a poem that was found scrawled on the wall of a concentration camp in Cologne, Germany.

Another powerful memorial feature is the granite path leading up to the towers. The path is etched with quotes from survivors of the Holocaust and other witnesses to the events of that time. The quotes provide a glimpse into the experiences of those who lived through the horrors of the Holocaust.

Planning to Visit the Boston Holocaust Memorial

The Boston Holocaust Memorial is open to the public year-round, and admission is free. The memorial is located in Carmen Park, which is easily accessible by public transportation or by car. The area has several parking garages, and the nearest subway station is the Aquarium stop on the Blue Line.

Visitors to the Boston Holocaust Memorial should plan to spend at least an hour exploring the site. The memorial is a powerful and emotional experience, and visitors should take the time to reflect on the events of the Holocaust and honor the memory of those who were killed.

Visiting Holocaust Memorial with Boston Sightseeing

To visit the Boston Holocaust Memorial with Boston Sightseeing, hop off the bus at Stop-4 on the Old State House. From there, it’s just a short walk to Carmen Park, where the memorial is located. After you’ve explored the memorial, you can hop back on the bus and continue your tour of the city.

The Boston Sightseeing tour buses are comfortable and convenient, with open-air upper decks offering panoramic city views. The buses also have live audio commentary available, so you can learn about the history and culture of Boston as you ride.

One of the great things about Boston Sightseeing is that you can hop on and off the buses as often as you like, so you can spend as much time as you want at the Boston Holocaust Memorial and other attractions. The buses run every 20-30 minutes, so you will immediately get the next one.

In conclusion, the Boston Holocaust Memorial is a moving and powerful tribute to the victims of the Holocaust. The memorial serves as a reminder of the atrocities committed during that time and a call to action for future generations to prevent such atrocities from happening again. Anyone who visits the Boston Holocaust Memorial will leave with a deeper understanding of the human cost of hate and discrimination and a renewed commitment to promoting tolerance and acceptance in their communities.