Houston’s Holocaust Museum has temporarily shuttered its doors as of Monday, July 24.
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The museum will reopen after completing a major expansion project, which will double its size. When it reopens, the museum will be the fourth-largest in the nation.
A $15M gift is allowing Holocaust Museum of Houston to nearly double in size. https://t.co/gxVoQngX7E via @HOUBizJournal @HMHou pic.twitter.com/2Z3njVxHK2
— McCarthy Building Co (@McCarthyBuild) June 27, 2017
Before the closure, the museum held a weekend-long event for the public, which included free admission. The weekend concluded with a candlelight ceremony.
The Holocaust Museum Houston is offering free admission on Sunday afternoon https://t.co/3df70YGnFE pic.twitter.com/dHjMDd3EFH
— ABC13 Houston (@abc13houston) July 23, 2017
The ceremony, called “Lights of Hope for the Future,” honored 20 Holocaust survivors. Over 250 guests attended the ceremony.
About two-thirds of the current building will be demolished and replaced with a new three-story building that will accommodate new exhibits, including a Danish rescue boat and a rail car.
The new facility will also offer classrooms, a library, and administrative offices.
During the closure, the current exhibits will be housed in a temporary location, which will open on September 5.
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Construction on the expanded museum is scheduled to begin in October, with completion expected in early 2019.