ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Florida Holocaust Museum in St. Petersburg has been selected for a display it considers so important and transformative that it will change the museum's interior and exterior forever.
The museum was recently chosen to house the collection of Holocaust survivor and Nobel Prize winner Elie Wiesel.
“It’s massive. I mean it really is. It’s a complete game changer,” said Michael Igel, Chairman of the Florida Holocaust Museum Board of Directors.
Igel is himself the grandson of Holocaust survivors. He understands the significance of preserving and representing the voices of millions murdered in one of humanity's darkest chapters.
“You can see the world, with the way it is today, silence is unacceptable,” said Igel. “That your voice must be heard That action must be taken when terrible things are happening to people.”
It's also why Igel and the Florida Holocaust Museum consider it such an honor to be chosen along with the University of South Florida St. Pete campus as the permanent home of the Elie Wiesel collection.
“To be known the world over, it now helps make the museum really an international destination where people will be coming to Tampa Bay to see the Wiesel exhibition,” said Igel.
Wiesel, who narrowly survived the Nazi concentration camps himself, saw most of his family perish.
Before passing in 2016, he spent his life bearing witness – recounting his experience in several works - including his most famous book "Night."
He later went on to win the Nobel peace prize for a lifetime spent defending human rights.
“You know, the Nobel committee called him the 'Messenger of Mankind',” said Igel, “Which I think is such a perfect description of who he was and is. Even though he’s no longer alive. His lessons are still here.”
Wiesel had several ties to Tampa Bay. He was a seasonal resident and professor at Eckerd College. He also cut the ribbon at the Florida Holocaust Museum when it first opened its doors in 1998.
The author’s family was instrumental in selecting the Florida Holocaust Museum because of his ties here, but also FHM's dedication to spreading Wiesel's legacy and message of hope beyond the museum's walls - including traveling exhibits that will be shared with other museums and institutions around the world.
It’s part of the reason they felt compelled to compete for the collection.
“Our mission is so aligned with what he stood for that we thought we must,” said Igel. “It's on our shoulders.”
Plans call for the museum to recreate Wiesel's office, displaying his Nobel Prize, written works, recordings, artwork, photos and more.
The museum says the Elie Wiesel collection will be phased in over a number of years, but the redesign and construction are already underway.
It will transform the museum’s interior and exterior, with signage highlighting the collection.
“To know so many years later that we are persevering - I just know that those who aren't here anymore looking down and saying ‘Yes, you're carrying on our legacy, you're ensuring these lessons are taught,’” said Igel. “What better gift can we get these people who died with such dignity?”