Construction Set to Begin for 45K SF Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity in Orlando

Construction crews are set to begin work on the largest Holocaust museum in Florida later this year. The 45,000-sq.-ft. Holocaust Museum for Hope & Humanity will be situated just north of downtown Orlando, near I-4, on the site of the former Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce building.

Technology Integration

Scheduled for opening in 2026, the museum aims to utilize advanced technology to immerse visitors in the history of the Holocaust. With the assistance of the USC Shoah Foundation, founded by Steven Spielberg, the museum will incorporate over 20 video testimonies to enable visitors to engage in conversations with Holocaust survivors through artificial intelligence.

Funding and Budget

The construction of the museum is budgeted at $57 million, with a total project cost of $106 million. Funding efforts have already secured $31 million, including a $10-million grant from Orange County’s bed tax funds and a $10-million donation from Orlando philanthropist Alan Ginsburg.

Symbolic Design

The design of the museum's exterior holds symbolism, resembling a ram’s horn or shofar, traditionally used as a call to action in Jewish tradition. Organizers hope the museum will serve as a beacon against rising acts of hate in Florida and across the country.

Relevance and Education

Talli Dippold, executive director of the Holocaust Memorial Resource & Education Center of Florida, which is spearheading the museum's development, emphasizes the importance of Holocaust education in combating antisemitism, aiming to empower the next generation to take meaningful action.