Holocaust Museum Renovation: What Student Groups Should Know

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has long been one of the most meaningful educational stops for student groups visiting Washington, D.C. Beginning in January 2027, however, visitors will experience the Museum differently as construction begins on a new Permanent Exhibition.

Importantly, the Museum itself will remain open throughout the project, with several significant exhibitions and educational experiences still available to student groups.

 

A New Permanent Exhibition Is Coming

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum officially opened to the public in April 1993. Its centerpiece has long been the three-floor Permanent Exhibition, The Holocaust, which presents the history of the Holocaust through artifacts, photographs, film footage, documents, and survivor testimony.

The current Permanent Exhibition will close beginning in January 2027 while the Museum constructs a new one. The Museum expects construction to be completed in 2029 and has described the project as an effort to ensure that Holocaust history remains relevant to future generations.

 

Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away.

Opening January 4, 2027, Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away. will become a centerpiece of the visitor experience while the Permanent Exhibition is closed.

The internationally acclaimed exhibition brings together original artifacts from the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum and more than 20 collections around the world. It traces the history of Auschwitz from the period before the camp was established through its operation and aftermath.

For student groups, this will be one of the most significant educational experiences available at the Museum during the renovation period. The exhibition is scheduled to remain in Washington through spring 2029.

In practical terms, Auschwitz will also become the Museum’s main ticketed attraction during this period. Beginning January 4, 2027, the Museum’s free timed-entry tickets will provide access to Auschwitz rather than the current Permanent Exhibition. Advance tickets can be reserved beginning October 5, 2026.

 

Remember the Children: Daniel’s Story

Designed especially with younger visitors in mind, Daniel’s Story presents the Holocaust through the perspective of a Jewish child growing up during the Nazi era.

Students move through recreated environments representing Daniel’s home, a ghetto, and a concentration camp while following a story based on the wartime experiences of children who lived through the Holocaust.

The exhibition is recommended for ages eight and older, and the Museum suggests allowing approximately 20-30 minutes for a visit. Unlike Auschwitz, timed-entry tickets are not required for Daniel’s Story.

 

Additional Exhibitions and Experiences

The Museum has also announced that visitors will have access to additional experiences during construction, including:

• Violent Antisemitism Before, During and After the Holocaust
• Film presentations
• Opportunities to meet Holocaust survivors

Timed-entry tickets are not required for the Museum’s other special exhibitions. Specific film and survivor programming may vary by date, so groups interested in those experiences should check the Museum’s current schedule when planning their visit.

 

Planning a Student Visit in 2027 and Beyond

The renovation will change the way groups experience the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, but it does not mean the Museum should disappear from Washington, D.C. student itineraries.

With Auschwitz. Not long ago. Not far away., Daniel’s Story, and additional exhibitions and programming available, students will continue to have meaningful opportunities to study Holocaust history while the Museum prepares its new Permanent Exhibition.

Teachers planning a Washington, D.C. student trip can also explore our Washington, D.C. tours for more ideas on building an educational itinerary around the city.