National Holocaust Centre and Museum

  • Beth Shalom
  • NHCM

Address

Acre Edge Road
Laxton
England
NG22 0PA
United Kingdom

Phone

+44 (0)1623 836627

History

The National Holocaust Centre & Museum was conceived by Stephen and James Smith and their mother Marina after a transformative visit to Yad Vashem in 1991. Recognizing a gap in their Holocaust education, the Smith family felt compelled to ensure the Holocaust was taught comprehensively in the UK. After years of fundraising and effort, the Centre, affectionately known as Beth Shalom, was established as the only national museum in the UK dedicated to Holocaust education. It features two permanent exhibitions, memorial gardens, and the unique exhibit "The Journey" for younger children.

The Centre's relationship with the Pears family and the Pears Foundation has been pivotal, with significant support from Sir Trevor Pears CMG, whom the Smith brothers consider a "third brother."

Additionally, in response to global genocides, the Smith brothers founded the Aegis Trust in 2000, which operates the Kigali Memorial Centre in Rwanda and promotes peace education across Africa. The Kigali Memorial Centre, inspired by the National Holocaust Centre, has hosted numerous international dignitaries and continues to be a significant site for genocide remembrance and education.

Geographical and Cultural Context

In today's rapidly changing world, the Centre aims to foster critical thinking to combat misinformation and racism, using the Holocaust's lessons as a foundation.

Records Management and Collecting Policies

In order for the museum to be fully representative, it is important for us to have artefacts represented in all areas of the Holocaust. We currently collect items from the following areas:

  • Pre and post war life of Holocaust survivors and their families
  • Pre war life of all victims of the Nazis
  • The Nazi propaganda machine
  • Anti Jewish laws and Anti Semitic policy for the period of 1933-1945
  • Nazi policy and law for the period of 1933-1945
  • People who sought refuge from the Nazi regime in Europe and beyond (to include Hiding)
  • Rescuers, bystanders and perpetrators
  • Liberation and repatriation
  • Sites of Murder (Extermination, Labour and Concentration Camps and Ghettos)
  • The Kinder

The types of objects collected can include: textiles; art; documents; ephemera; social history items; oral recordings; film footage and photographs and prints.

We will not accept English World War 2 items unless these have an obvious link to the Holocaust.

Archival and Other Holdings

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum holds a collection of artefacts relating to the Holocaust. As an actively collecting museum, we are always looking to expand this collection and collect in areas where we are deficient. We collect both actively and reactively. Reactive collecting occurs when we are working on specific projects and acquiring specific items. The primary aims behind this are to collect to enable the museum to expand the collections on display in its main Holocaust exhibition and the Journey, as the objects, photographs, ephemera, documents and testimony on display are the direct evidence of the events surrounding the Holocaust.

The items we house provide a tangible link to the Holocaust, and as custodians of such important objects, we ensure they are protected and cared for to the highest possible standard enabling us to teach from them for years to come.

Opening Times

Monday - Friday 10:00 - 16:30*

Sunday 10:00 - 16:30*

  • Last entry 3:30pm. Cafe open 11am - 3pm.

Conditions of Access

The National Holocaust Centre and Museum strives to support research and make its collection available where ever possible. However, please be advised that some items in the collection are restricted, on loan, or otherwise unable to be viewed.

To request access to the The National Holocaust Centre and Museum's collection, please download this form: https://www.holocaust.org.uk/Handlers/Download.ashx?IDMF=ba66750d-76c8-4cc7-a7b3-6597d7789ec7

Accessibility

The museum offers various facilities and accessibility features to ensure an inclusive experience for all visitors. Toilet facilities include accessible toilets, and separate toilets for younger children can also be accessed.

Disabled parking is provided opposite the main entrance. Despite being housed in a Victorian farmhouse, the museum strives to offer maximum physical access. Audio descriptions are available for the Journey exhibition. Some films are subtitled, and an in-house T-loop hearing system is in place. Lift services are available to access the Journey exhibition, learning classrooms, and the main museum exhibition located in the basement.

Visitors are encouraged to inform the museum of any specific needs upon entry. For further accessibility inquiries, contact 01623 867650. In summer 2019, a new lift was installed for the main exhibition, previously accessible only by stairlift, thanks to funding from the DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund.

The museum also considers intellectual and emotional access. The Journey exhibition is suitable for younger learners (8+) and adults, featuring minimal text, artefacts, objects to handle, and oral testimonies. The Holocaust Exhibition is a detailed, traditional gallery recommended for older learners (14+), displaying artefacts, survivor testimonies, and audio-visual footage.

The museum employs various interpretation methods, including labels, panels, printed guides, handling collections, digital applications, maps, oral recordings, guest speakers, films, sound archives, guided tours, educator-led tours, and online resources.

Research Services

If you wish to conduct research at The National Holocaust Centre and Museum, including speaking to our survivors, and other visitors, please download and return a research request form and the ethical consent form.

Unfortunately The National Holocaust Centre and Museum is unable to help with tracing people or personal histories at this time. There are other institutions in the field who will be able to help with enquiries.

Public Areas

Situated within the grounds of our beautiful memorial gardens the Tea room is a perfect place to take a break, relax and reflect on your visit. We endeavor to provide gluten and dairy free alternatives and vegetarian options. We currently offer a small selection of snacks, cakes and confectionary and offer lunch in the form of soup and sandwiches. We also carry a wide selection of hot beverages. We do not have a Kosher restaurant.

The museum shop has a comprehensive range of books relating to the Holocaust and other genocides. Exclusive to the National Holocaust Centre and Museum are Journeys and Survival which contain the personal testimonies of our Holocaust survivors. The shop also stocks small gifts for purchase. Orders can be placed and paid for at the online shop or over the phone by telephoning (01623) 836627.

If you can help improve this information please contact us at feedback@ehri-project.eu.