HOUSTON – A World War II-era Dutch rescue boat and a German rail car were relocated Tuesday to their temporary home as construction continues on the expansion of Holocaust Museum Houston.
Gary Markowitz, chairman of the museum’s board, said the artifacts are two of the most important items in the museum’s collection.
“(The artifacts) represent the two paths that people were forced to take,” Markowitz said. “One to safety and life, and one to death.”
Holocaust survivor Chaja Verveer watched as crews hoisted the boat and railcar into the air and gently placed them in a construction shelter.
“I was in a railcar just like that being deported from Holland to a concentration camp in Germany,” Verveer said.
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The moment punctuated the importance of keeping memories of the Holocaust alive.
“As we are slowly fading away, you know, we’ve got to have something that will tell people, ‘This is what happened,’” Verveer said. “And also, therefore, teach the children, don’t let that happen ever again.”
PHOTOS: See the boat relocation
Markowitz said the museum teaches people universal lessons about the risks of prejudice, hatred and apathy.
“We’d like people to understand what happens if you allow hate to run unabated,” Markowitz said.
The $49.4 million project will take a little more than a year to complete, and will double the size of the museum to about 57,000 square feet.
Until then, the museum has temporarily relocated to 9220 Kirby Drive. Admission is free on Sundays.
Visit hmh.org for more information.