Otto Frank founded the original Dutch Center in 1977 (Photo Credit James Keivom)

The legacy of one of World War II’s most remarkable victims is now open in its new downtown home. The Anne Frank Center USA opened March 15th at 44 Park Place, between Church Street and West Broadway, after five years in its smaller SoHo space. It serves as a New York partner of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, dedicated to sharing the story and diary of Anne Frank and the Holocaust as a continual reminder of the consequences of hatred.

“Anne Frank taught us that the only way to fight hatred and intolerance is through an abiding commitment to tolerance itself,” said Executive Director Yvonne Simons. “Our goal is to spread that message and to confront contemporary issues of hatred and bigotry, whether based on race, religion or any other category that can be used to divide us.”

Located three blocks north of the World Trade Center site, the Anne Frank Center is home to a permanent, interactive exhibit based on her diary, and a quiet contemplation area displaying a life-size image of her room. Facsimiles of her actual diary pages and family photographs are on display, as are other mementos from her life, along with a scale model of the house where she and her family hid for more than two years.

The non-profit, secular center is open Tues., through Sat., 10 am - 5 pm. (Photo Credit James Keivom)

Anne’s father Otto Frank, the only surviving member of his family, founded the original Dutch Center in 1977. He was responsible for having his daughter’s diary published in 1947 and continued to raise awareness of the Holocaust, especially as seen through his daughter’s eyes, until he died in 1980. One area of the Center is devoted to his story, and several of his beautiful family photographs are on display.

The Franks’ closest living relative is Anne’s first cousin Buddy Elias, now 86, who spoke at the Center’s opening ceremony and remains involved with the Center.

Several powerful quotations are on display in the gallery, including one by John F. Kennedy: “Of the multitude who throughout history have spoken for human dignity in times of great suffering and loss, no voice is more compelling than that of Anne Frank.”

The non-profit, secular center is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., $8 for adults and $5 for seniors and students.

The Museum of Jewish Heritage in Battery Park City also opened a Holocaust-related exhibit this month. Filming the Camps: From Hollywood to Nuremberg is now on view through October 14, 2012.

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