Experience history

A close up view of historical context and human stories: scroll down to find out where and when you can visit our exhibitions

A Paper Monument

After the war, our institution was often the only source of hope for people who were looking for their loved ones. Our exhibition in Bad Arolsen, “A Paper Monument,” traces the history of the Arolsen Archives – from the organization’s early beginnings to the recognition it enjoys today as part of UNESCO’S Memory of the World. Find out more here!

Read the dossier on the exhibition

Visit “A Paper Monument”

Our exhibition in Bad Arolsen presents the eventful history of the Arolsen Archives and sheds light on various aspects of the organization’s work, including the search for missing persons and the documentation of Nazi crimes. Visits and guided tours are free of charge.

#StolenMemory in Bad Arolsen

We launched the #StolenMemory campaign in 2016 to help us trace the relatives of victims of Nazi persecution whose personal belongings have been stored in our archive since the early 1960s. We have already managed to find hundreds of families and give back their relatives’ personal effects; these are items that were taken from people who were imprisoned in concentration camps.

The freely accessible open-air exhibition in front of the main building of the Arolsen Archives tells the stories of 22 victims of Nazi persecution. Eleven panels focus on people whose possessions have already been returned to their relatives – while 11 more focus on people whose families we are still trying to trace with the help of our network of volunteers.

On the road in Germany and the rest of Europe

The traveling exhibitions that belong to the campaign let you dive deep into the history and the stories behind the personal items at the heart of #StolenMemory. You can find all the dates and locations of our exhibitions on this map and on the campaign website.

To the website

#StolenMemory exhibitions tell the stories of victims of Nazi persecution whose personal belongings found their way into the collections of the Arolsen Archives – and the stories of their relatives, too. #StolenMemory exhibitions have already been shown in many European cities. You can visit some of the exhibitions online here.