Visiting the American Swedish Institute is always one of my favorite things to do in the Twin Cities. And when FFTC was invited to the media preview for the newest exhibit Kindertransport — Rescuing Children on the Brink of War, I jumped at the opportunity.
Here are my very first impressions.
What You Will Find in the American Swedish Institute Kindertransport Exhibit | Osher Gallery
- A red wall of tags like the ones the children on the Kindertransport wore around their necks (beautiful and striking).
- A map of the locations from which children were sent as well as the locations to where they were delivered.
- Nine themed stations that detailed some of the journeys of the kids
- Artifacts or replications of those artifacts
- Video of actual parents and children saying their goodbyes
- Stories
- Letters
What You Will See in the American Swedish Institute The Story is Here Exhibit Interpretation | Turnblad Mansion Level 2
Follow the lives of three Kinders, Kurt Moses and Siegfried Lidenbaum and Benno Black, who ultimately came to Minnesota. See actual artifacts from their journeys and childhoods that began somewhat similarly to many but ended with a frightening journey away from Nazi terrors.
- Find Kurt Moses’ US Visa
- Discover Siegfried Lidenbaum’s ID paper with framed photo
- See Benno Black’s suitcase from Germany
These are just some of the things you will appreciate from The Story is Here. This interpretive exhibit hit my soul hard. These people and their children and legacy aren’t supposed to be here, but they are. And the legacy continues because so many parents did the hard thing and sent their kids out of Germany and Austria in a desperate attempt to preserve their lives.
Exhibit Details:
Dates: Now-October 31, 2021
Kindertransport is included with the price of regular admission | $6-$12 | Children under 6 and ASI members FREE
Mansion and Galleries Open Thursdays 10 am-8 pm, Fridays-Sundays 10 am-4 pm
Special Events:
September 24 and October 22, 9 am | In-Person Babies at the Castle: Kindertransport | $15/caregiver and baby (15 months or younger) | 30 minute tours plus 15 minutes of sensory play.
September 9, 10 am | Virtual Afternoons at ASI: Kindertransport in Sweden — Objects and Stories from the Jewish Museum in Stockholm | FREE but must register at ASImn.org
