In the middle of Peter’s small room, there is a pinewood 12-step flight of stairs. It leads to the attic. On the left, behind the stairs, is Peter’s desk. Anne noted that the desk was always full of books and that the stairs served as extra shelves.
Stairs in the room of Peter van Pels
Collection: Anne Frank Stichting, Amsterdam / photo: Harold Strak
Pinewood stairs to the attic
The original stairs in Peter’s room
‘When you knock on his door early in the evening and hear someone quietly call out: “Yes, yes,” then you can be sure that when you open the door you will find him peeking out at you from between two steps of the stairs to the loft and that he will usually continue with a rather welcoming “So!”.’
The stairs are no longer used, as the many visitors have worn down the steps.
Highlights from the collection
Browse the collection-
Photograph of Margot with Rosa Holländer-Stern
Hand in hand with grandmother in Aachen
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Cotton bag
Personal property of Otto Frank
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Children’s gramophone
Gift on the occasion of Anne’s birth
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LOI course in Latin
Margot kept up with her studies in the Secret Annex
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Bobbin used to open and close the bookcase
The hidden entrance to the Secret Annex
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Traces of the people in hiding
The story of the beans that were left behind
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Margot’s photo album
Photographs from her baby and toddler years
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Margot’s rowing medal
Exercising with friends
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Yad Vashem award
Appreciation for the helpers after the war
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Principles of Botany
Anne’s last birthday present
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Photograph of Margot with Rosa Holländer-Stern
Hand in hand with grandmother in Aachen
-
Cotton bag
Personal property of Otto Frank
-
Children’s gramophone
Gift on the occasion of Anne’s birth
-
LOI course in Latin
Margot kept up with her studies in the Secret Annex
-
Bobbin used to open and close the bookcase
The hidden entrance to the Secret Annex
-
Traces of the people in hiding
The story of the beans that were left behind
-
Margot’s photo album
Photographs from her baby and toddler years
-
Margot’s rowing medal
Exercising with friends
-
Yad Vashem award
Appreciation for the helpers after the war
-
Principles of Botany
Anne’s last birthday present