Review Essay: Teaching History, Teaching Tolerance—Holocaust Education in Houston

Abstract

To many, oil-rich Houston, Texas does not seem a likely location for a museum dedicated to remembering and teaching about the Holocaust. However, to the survivors who relocated to Houston, it seemed only necessary. Throughout the United States, communities in cities both large and small are gathering together and creating Holocaust museums to preserve the memory of the six million Jews and the five million others who were murdered under the Nazi terror. While serving as places of both remembrance and learning, these Holocaust museums have undertaken the complicated task of educating both students and adults about an event that is difficult to comprehend. As many young people learn about the Holocaust from their history books or popular movies like Schindler’s List, or more recently, The Pianist, Holocaust museums remain places that teachers are relying upon to further their students’ knowledge. Museums have been the focus of review sections in this and many other journals, but reviewers often focus solely on the exhibits, overlooking the museums’ education programs. This review will explore the Holocaust Museum Houston’s education programs, especially their programs for children. My evaluation is based largely on several visits to the museum spent with students on school tours and on conversations with museum educators.1