Otto Frank
The temporary exhibition ‘Otto Frank: his dream’ focuses on the preparations and the opening of the Anne Frank House in 1960, and the dream that Otto had for it. Film, photos and objects from the collection of the Anne Frank House give an impression of what Otto Frank believed the secret annexe should stand for: a meeting place, and a place for reflection and inspiration.
From hiding place to museum
The history of the Anne Frank House
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Otto Frank
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In the 1950’s the secret annexe was in a badly run-down condition. A series of photos from the collection of the Anne Frank House show how serious the situation was. There were plans to demolish the entire house, but this was prevented by the actions of a number of friends of Otto Frank. Following renovations, the secret annexe was opened to the public on 3 May 1960. The place where Anne Frank wrote her diary became a museum, but it was Otto Frank’s express wish that the secret annexe should be more than a museum or memorial.
“I think it is not only important that people go to the Anne Frank House to see the secret annexe, but also that they are helped to realise that people are also persecuted today because of their race, religion or political convictions.”
Otto Frank, 3 August 1970
Young people from around the world
After the opening of the Anne Frank House, in the 1960’s Otto Frank started meetings there for young people from around the world. They came to the Anne Frank House in the summertime to meet one another and discuss social issues. A series of photos and printed materials preserved from those times give an impression of those dynamic years in the history of the Anne Frank House.
The exhibition on Otto Frank