About Us
Click HereAbout the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum
Located in St. Louis, Missouri, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Holocaust. The Museum serves as a trusted regional resource for Holocaust education and remembrance, ensuring that the lessons from this period remain relevant through powerful exhibitions, survivor stories, and innovative educational programs.
Our Story
Founded by Holocaust survivors and their families, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum opened its doors in 1995 to ensure that the stories of the six million Jews whose lives were lost during the Holocaust would never be forgotten. Since our inception, we have served as a vital educational resource for the St. Louis region and beyond.
Our museum houses extensive programs and resources that connect past and present, encouraging visitors to reflect on their own responsibilities in building a more just world.
St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum Timeline
- 1995 – Original Museum opens after two decades of planning by survivors and community members
- 2017 – Planning begins for major expansion and renovation
- November 2020 – Groundbreaking for $21 million expansion project
- August 2022 – Museum becomes independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit, separating from Jewish Federation of St. Louis
- November 2, 2022 – Newly expanded Museum reopens with new permanent Holocaust exhibition, Impact Lab, classrooms, auditorium, archives, and special exhibit space
- First 100 days – Nearly 5,000 visitors, over 1,500 students engaged, 700+ new members recruited
- Present – Museum serves tens of thousands of annual visitors including students, educators, community groups, law enforcement, and religious organizations
Our Mission
Our mission is to use the history and lessons of the Holocaust to empower individuals to reject hatred, promote understanding, and inspire change. By understanding how prejudice, discrimination, and unchecked hatred escalated into genocide, visitors gain the tools needed to confront injustice in their own communities.
Why Holocaust Education Matters
The Holocaust is not just a historical event. In a world still confronted by antisemitism, our Museum provides essential learning programs and resources for understanding how hate can grow when left unchallenged.
Visitors learn:
- Information and facts about the Holocaust
- The real stories of people who lived through persecution and survival
- The importance of speaking up when witnessing intolerance
What We Do
Education
We provide educational programs for students, teachers, and the community, using Holocaust history to teach critical thinking and moral responsibility through workshops, lectures, field trips, and professional training. Learn more about the Holocaust today.
Remembrance
Through immersive exhibits, we honor Holocaust victims and celebrate the courage of survivors and liberators. Our modern exhibition guides visitors through the Nazi regime’s rise, persecution of targeted groups, and the Holocaust’s aftermath.
Research, Archives, & Artifacts
Our archives preserve testimonies, documents, oral histories, and artifacts for current and future generations. We safeguard photographs, personal items, and survivor stories from local families for research and education. Explore our collection.
Community Engagement
The Museum hosts workshops, lectures, field trips, film screenings, speaker series, and commemorations that bring the community together. We provide educators with teaching resources, professional development, and strategies for Holocaust education.
Who We Serve
As a cultural and educational institution rooted in St. Louis, Missouri, we proudly serve:
- Local schools and universities
- Community and civic organizations
- Law enforcement and public service groups
- Faith-based communities
- Visitors from across Missouri and beyond
The lessons learned here extend far beyond our walls. Each visitor plays a part in building a more just, informed, and compassionate society.
Our Impact
Today, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum serves tens of thousands of visitors annually, delivers hundreds of community programs, and preserves thousands of artifacts entrusted by Holocaust survivors and their families.
Annual Visitors
Students Reached
Programs Annually
Artifacts Preserved
Financial Documents & Disclosures
Visit Us in St. Louis
We welcome visitors year-round. Explore our exhibitions, attend programs, or book group tours today!
Frequently Asked Questions About the Museum
When did the St. Louis Holocaust Museum open?
The Museum originally opened in 1995 as the St. Louis Holocaust Museum & Learning Center. After a major $21 million expansion and renovation, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum reopened on November 2, 2022.
Do Holocaust survivors still speak at the Museum?
While many of our original survivors have passed away, their children and grandchildren continue sharing family stories with visitors. The Museum also preserves dozens of recorded survivor testimonies that visitors can experience.
When did the St. Louis Holocaust Museum open?
The Museum originally opened in 1995 as the St. Louis Holocaust Museum & Learning Center. After a major $21 million expansion and renovation, the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum reopened on November 2, 2022.