Press Releases
Book giveaway made possible by Bank of America and UJA-Federation of New York
Representatives from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and Bank of America today launched Summer of Reflection: The Legacy of Anne Frank, distributing hundreds of free copies of Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl and free tickets for students to Anne Frank The Exhibition to commemorate what would have been her 96th birthday.
In a heartfelt tribute to the life and legacy of Anne Frank, Anne Frank The Exhibition—presented by the Anne Frank House at the Center for Jewish History in Union Square—unveiled the special initiative to distribute 10,000 free copies of the diary in partnership with UJA-Federation of New York, Bank of America, New York City Public Schools, Union Square Partnership, and the New York Public Library, Queens Public Library, and Brooklyn Public Library through the summer.
Kicking off the campaign at DREAM charter school in East Harlem, exhibition curator Tom Brink and advisor Michael Glickman were interviewed by four DREAM students, who visited the exhibition earlier this week, about Anne Frank, her legacy, and why her story resonates today.
After distributing 200 free books and vouchers for the students to visit the exhibition, the team joined the Union Square Partnership to distribute 450 free books to New Yorkers and visitors.
Organizers launched the campaign to reach young readers throughout New York City and help keep Anne’s story accessible for future generations. This summer, select books will also join the permanent collections of schools and libraries, ensuring lasting access. These offerings are a way to thank New Yorkers for their embrace of Anne’s story, which has had a lasting impact on history, education, and awareness of the need to fight antisemitism.
On Friday, June 13th, Anne Frank The Exhibition will open its doors for free admission starting at 2:45 p.m. until 5:00 PM with last entry one hour before. Organizers also today announced they will extend free exhibition access—for up to 250 people—for public library card holders in partnership with the three systems on select Friday afternoons in July and August, starting on July 11th.
Visitors who wish to gain free access beginning at 2:45 pm on June 13th and on select Fridays in July and August will be welcomed on a first-come, first-served basis for an opportunity to experience the powerful and immersive exhibition without cost.
“Anne Frank’s diary is not just a historical document; it is a beacon of hope and a call to action,” said Ronald Leopold, Executive Director of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, which organized the New York City exhibition. “Her words inspire us to confront injustice and to promote tolerance and human dignity. By distributing thousands of copies of her diary and expanding access to the exhibition, we are reaffirming our commitment to education and remembrance. It is vital that Anne’s message reaches as many people as possible, especially in today’s world where antisemitism and group hatred is on the rise and the lessons of history must never be forgotten. It is what her father, Otto Frank, sought to achieve in his dedicated and courageous pursuit of the Diary’s publication.”
The distribution of the 10,000 books is made possible thanks to the generosity of Bank of America and UJA-Federation of New York, in collaboration with the New York City Public Schools Office of Library Services, New York City Public Schools Department of Social Studies & Civics, and New York City Public Schools Summer Rising enrichment program.
“To help preserve and broaden access to Anne’s story, we were thrilled to expand our sponsorship of Anne Frank The Exhibition through this book distribution,” said José Tavarez, president, Bank of America New York City. “This additional access will help to widen efforts, engaging a younger generation to learn about Anne’s life and writings, her experiences and resiliency.”
“Anne Frank’s diary gives voice to the hopes and fears of a young girl facing unimaginable hatred—and that voice still speaks powerfully to young people today. By helping to put this book directly into the hands of New York City students, we’re giving them the opportunity to connect personally with Anne’s story, reflect on the consequences of hatred, and understand the possibility of resilience and the human spirit. Particularly now, at a time of sharply rising hatred targeting the Jewish community, our hope is that young readers will be inspired to stand up to hate, to find courage in the face of adversity, and to believe in the power of their own voices,” said Eric S. Goldstein, CEO, UJA-Federation of New York.
“Across New York City's library systems, our mission is to provide access to knowledge for all. We are grateful for the opportunity to distribute Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl at public libraries throughout the city, thanks to our partnership with the Anne Frank House and their generous donation. By sharing with thousands of New Yorkers the story of Anne Frank and the history she captured in her own voice—which is as vital today as when it was originally published—we hope to inspire young readers to deepen their understanding and experience both the joy and importance of reading,” said BPL President and CEO Linda E. Johnson, NYPL President and CEO Anthony W. Marx, and QPL President and CEO Dennis M. Walcott.
“In the face of rising antisemitism around the country and world, it is critical that we take steps across our city to combat hate and intolerance,” said New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos. “Anne Frank’s story is one of hope, humanity, and courage, and it belongs in our classrooms and in our communities as a key part of this work. I am confident that the distribution of 10,000 copies of her diary will leave a lasting impact on our young people, just as it did on my own students when I was a high school English teacher.”
“Union Square welcomes a dynamic array of public experiences rooted in connection, engagement and education, including the Summer of Reflection: The Legacy of Anne Frank," said Julie Stein, Executive Director of Union Square Partnership. “This summer, students, families, and visitors are invited to explore this special initiative. And, thanks to the generosity of Bank of America and UJA-Federation of New York, thousands of readers will take home a piece of history through the Anne Frank House's book giveaway.”
“The Diary of Anne Frank is not just relevant—it is essential for young New Yorkers today. Anne’s story is a powerful mirror reflecting the dangers of antisemitism and hatred that persist in our world. Her words compel us to confront bigotry with humanity and to replace silence with courage. As we mark what would have been her 96th birthday, the Center for Jewish History invites everyone to engage deeply with her legacy through Anne Frank The Exhibition—and join us in mobilizing Jewish history to confront and overcome the forces of hate threatening our communities today,” said Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld, President of the Center for Jewish History.
About Anne Frank The Exhibition:
Anne Frank The Exhibition is the first time in history that the Anne Frank House presents a pioneering experience outside of Amsterdam to immerse visitors in a full-scale recreation of the Annex rooms, fully furnished, where Anne Frank, her parents and sister, and four other Jews spent two years hiding to evade Nazi capture.
Moving through the exhibition, visitors can immerse themselves in the context that shaped Anne’s life—from her early years in Frankfurt through the rise of the Nazi regime and the family’s phased move to Amsterdam across 1933 and 1934, where Anne lived for ten years until her 1944 arrest and deportation to Westerbork, a large transit camp in the Netherlands, then to Auschwitz-Birkenau, a concentration camp and killing center in Nazi-occupied Poland, and eventually to her death at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp in Germany when she was 15 years old.
Four exhibition galleries immerse visitors in place and history through video, sound, photography, and animation; and more than 100 original collection items from the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. Anne Frank The Exhibition provides an opportunity to learn about Anne Frank not as a victim but through the multifaceted lens of her life—as a girl, a writer, and a symbol of resilience and strength. This is a story inspired by one of the most translated books in the world.
The New York City exhibition occupies over 7,500 square feet of gallery space in the heart of Union Square. This marks the first time dozens of artifacts can be seen in the United States—many have never been seen in public.
Artifacts in the exhibition include:
Advising the Anne Frank House on the New York City exhibition is Michael S. Glickman, CEO of jMUSE. Dr. Doyle Stevick, Executive Director of The Anne Frank Center at the University of South Carolina, the Anne Frank House’s official U.S. partner, is the educational advisor.
The exhibition is made possible through the generosity of many philanthropic foundations and individuals, whose partnership has ensured the exhibition is available to students and educators throughout the United States, as well as throughout the local New York City metro region.
Anne Frank The Exhibition is a limited engagement, now extended through October 31, 2025.
Anne Frank House gratefully acknowledges the following benefactors who have contributed to the exhibition: The exhibition is made possible by Leon Levy Foundation, with leadership support by David Berg Foundation, Rebecca and Jared Cohen, Stacey and Eric Mindich, The Koum Family Foundation, Merryl and James Tisch, UJA-Federation of New York, and corporate partner Bank of America. Educational patrons to the exhibition include Gray Foundation and The Fuhrman Family Foundation, with additional support by The Barbra Streisand Foundation.
Major support has been provided by Debbie and Mark Attanasio, Tanya and Ryan Baker, Einstein Astrof Foundation, Elyssa and William Friedland, Jesselson Foundation, Allison and Warren Kanders, Pershing Square Philanthropies, Sara Naison-Tarajano, The Krupp Foundation, Katharine M. and Leo S. Ullman, and Anonymous, with sponsorship support by GRoW @ Annenberg, Rita J. & Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation, Karyn Kornfeld & Steven Kobre, The Claire Friedlander Family Foundation, and Zegar Family Foundation. Pro bono legal services provided by Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz.
General Information
Following months of being sold out, additional tickets have been added for the months of June, July, and August to ensure visitors have easy access to the exhibition. Tickets available at AnneFrankExhibit.org. The exhibition is designed for children (ages 10 and older) and adults. All general admission tickets include the exhibition audio guide. Visitors should plan to spend approximately one hour at the exhibition. Last entry is one hour before closing.
Individual tickets
Timed entry tickets, Monday through Friday: $24 (17 and under, $18)
Timed entry tickets, Sunday: $31 (17 and under, $24)
Flex tickets, Monday through Friday: $38
Flex tickets, Sunday: $54
Family tickets (2 adults + 2 children under 17 years):
Timed entry tickets, Monday through Friday: $74 (additional 17 and under ticket, $18)
Timed entry tickets, Sunday: $98 (additional 17 and under ticket, $24)
Group sales (adults)
$300 per group of 10, timed entry, Monday through Friday
$400 per group of 10, timed entry, Sunday
Hours:
Sunday through Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Friday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Saturday: Closed
Address:
Center for Jewish History
15 West 16th Street, New York, N.Y. between 5th and 6th Avenues
Neighborhood: Union Square in Manhattan
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About the Annex
In July 1942, Anne Frank (13), her parents, Otto and Edith Frank, and her sister, Margot Frank (16), went into hiding in the annex at the back of her father’s company. The Van Pels family (Hermann, Auguste, and their 15-year-old son, Peter) followed the next week. Four months later, they were joined by Fritz Pfeffer. All of them were Jews daring to escape certain death at the hands of the Nazis amid the German occupation of the Netherlands during World War II. Unable to go to school, largely cut off from the rest of the world, and trapped in close quarters with others while a war raged outside, Anne poured herself into her diary. The people in hiding in the Annex were discovered in 1944, and Anne and the others were arrested and sent to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp. Anne and her sister Margot were then sent to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where they both died of typhus in February 1945. Anne was 15. Margot was 18 or 19. Otto Frank was the only person from the Annex to survive the Holocaust.
About the Diary
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl, more commonly known as The Diary of Anne Frank, is one of the most translated books in the world. Transformed multiple times for stage and screen, the published book’s source is the personal diary that Anne Frank kept in multiple notebooks during the two-year period of hiding with her family in rooms located in the back house of her father’s company in Amsterdam. Soon after Anne and the others were arrested in 1944, Miep Gies, one of the people who risked their lives to help them in hiding, returned to the Annex and found their belongings ransacked. Miep was relieved to find Anne’s diary pages, knowing how important her writings were to her, and saved them for her return. Otto was the only person from the Annex to survive the Holocaust. When Miep first gave him his daughter’s diary, he could not bring himself to read it. Soon, he did and he could not stop, sharing it with relatives and friends who encouraged him to publish what they considered “an important human document.” Upon its publication, Otto Frank wrote: "How proud Anne would have been if she had lived to see this. After all, on 29 March 1944, she wrote: ‘Imagine how interesting it would be if I published a novel about Secret Annex.'"
About the Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank House was established in 1957 in cooperation with Otto Frank, Anne Frank’s father, as an independent nonprofit organization entrusted with the preservation of the Annex where Anne Frank and her family went into hiding in 1942 during the Second World War. The Annex is where Anne wrote her diary, and where she and her family hid from the Nazis during the occupation of the Netherlands until being discovered and arrested by police officers in 1944. Following her transport to the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp, Anne and her sister Margot were sent to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where they died in 1945. For nearly seven decades, the Anne Frank House has served as a place of memory and a place of learning. Committed to bringing Anne’s life story to world audiences, the Anne Frank House has emerged as a primary resource for teaching and learning about the Holocaust. Through Anne’s legacy the Anne Frank House empowers people of all ages—and especially young people—to reflect on the dangers of antisemitism, racism, and discrimination and the importance of freedom, equal rights, and democracy.