Phoenix Constructs Major New Holocaust Education Center

The 31,000-square-foot facility near Burton Barr Library aims to educate students on history and antisemitism.

Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Judaism

Phoenix Constructs Major New Holocaust Education Center

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Do you believe specialized local education centers help students better understand historical dangers like antisemitism?

Organizers are building a new 31,000-square-foot Holocaust education center in Phoenix to preserve local survivor history. The facility is expected to open to the public in the fall of 2027.

Why it matters

The center intends to help students better understand the history of the Holocaust while recognizing the dangers of modern antisemitism. It will feature six dedicated galleries to share the stories of survivors.

The new facility spans 31,000 square feet and will contain six distinct galleries. It is designed to accommodate a capacity of more than 50,000 students and visitors annually.

The players

Oskar Knoblauch

A Holocaust survivor who serves as a living connection to the historical events being documented at the new center.

Burton Barr Library

The central branch of the Phoenix Public Library system that sits adjacent to the site of the new education center.

The details

Located adjacent to the Burton Barr Library, the project will highlight the experiences of local Holocaust survivors. Among those recognized is 100-year-old survivor Oskar Knoblauch, who will turn 101 in November 2026.

November 2026: Holocaust survivor Oskar Knoblauch will turn 101 years old.
Fall 2027: The center is expected to open to the public.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a broader societal commitment to preserving firsthand historical accounts as the generation of living Holocaust survivors reaches an advanced age. It mirrors a global movement to institutionalize Holocaust education within local communities to combat rising intolerance.

Residents can expect the new center to become a primary resource for school field trips and public history programming starting in 2027. The project brings a significant cultural and educational landmark to the area surrounding the city's main library.

The takeaway

The center offers an opportunity for residents to engage with history through the personal stories of survivors like Oskar Knoblauch. Visitors are encouraged to prepare for the 2027 opening to participate in these new educational programs.