Anne Frank Exhibition Brings Her Secret Annex to Life in New York City
A full-scale replica of the Amsterdam annex where Anne Frank and seven others hid from the Nazis for two years is now on display in New York City. This immersive exhibition recreates the living quarters that sheltered Anne, her sister Margot, their parents Edith and Otto Frank, and four other Jews, before they were discovered and deported. Anne later died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in 1945 at just 15 years old.
“Anne Frank: The Exhibition” is a temporary installation open through April 30, 2025, with tickets available at AnneFrankExhibit.org. The exhibit is suitable for adults and children aged 10 and up.
Spanning 7,500 square feet on a single level, the exhibit offers a chronological journey through Anne’s life—beginning with her early years in Frankfurt, Germany, and moving through the rise of the Nazi regime, her family’s escape to Amsterdam, their time in hiding, and Otto Frank’s life after the war. Over 100 original artifacts, combined with multimedia displays, provide a deeply personal and historical context.
Unlike the original annex in Amsterdam, which remains unfurnished at Otto Frank’s request, the New York replica includes recreations of the Frank family’s furniture and personal belongings. Ronald Leopold, Executive Director of the Anne Frank House, told The New York Times that the goal is to bring Anne’s story closer to audiences who may not be familiar with it.
The exhibit includes emotionally powerful items that hint at the lives the annex’s occupants hoped to return to. Among them: a facsimile of Anne’s famous diary, a replica of Peter van Pels’ cat carrier and bicycle, and a striking black dress that belonged to his mother, Auguste—a never-before-shown original artifact.
Anne’s shared room with dentist Fritz Pfeffer reflects her adolescent personality and changing interests. She decorated the walls with images of Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo and Ginger Rogers, as well as British royals Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret. As she matured, she replaced some clippings with images of fine art, including a postcard featuring a Michelangelo sculpture.
The exhibition guides visitors through Anne’s life using photos, videos, and audio recordings. One of the most haunting features is a glowing map of Europe beneath a glass floor, marking the locations of concentration camps and Holocaust killing sites.
“This story is much larger than just the two years in hiding,” said curator Tom Brink. “It begins before and continues after—and every part of that journey matters.”
Organizers aim to educate at least 250,000 students, offering subsidized admission for New York City public school students and those from other under-resourced districts. General admission is $21 on weekdays and $27 on Sundays, though thousands of tickets have already been sold. After its New York run, the exhibition will travel to other U.S. cities.
“There’s a growing interest among younger generations in Anne Frank’s story,” said Leopold. “The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam can’t accommodate everyone who wants to visit, so this exhibition brings her story to more people across the world.”
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