Oregon Holocaust Memorial
The Oregon Holocaust Memorial, dedicated in 2004, serves as a permanent reminder of the Holocaust, where millions of Jews were systematically murdered by the Nazi government of Germany from 1933 to 1945. Many others were murdered because of their political or religious beliefs, physical and mental disabilities, sexual orientation, or assistance to the persecuted. By teaching the Holocaust and visiting the Memorial, there is hope that a bright light can come out of the darkness of history.
In 1994, the Oregon Holocaust Memorial Coalition had its beginnings when a local group of Holocaust survivors formed the Oregon Holocaust Survivors, Refugees and Families Committee. They organized, with the purpose of memorializing their loved ones and other millions murdered in the Holocaust, by creating a memorial in the city of Portland, Ore. The site in Washington Park was generously donated by the City of Portland with the unanimous support of the City Council, adding Portland to the list of major cities around the world with such a monument.
The
Memorial design was a group project designed by artists Tad Savinar and
Paul Sutinen; landscape architects Marlene Salon, John Warner, and Marianne
Zarkin; typographic designer John Laursen, and historian Marshall Lee. Upon
completion, the Oregon Holocaust Resource Center, housed at Pacific University
in Forest Grove, took over as caretakers of the Memorial. With generous
support from local individuals, families, businesses and organizations,
the Memorial stands as a living testament to courage.
For more information about tours, directions to the monument, FAQs, or other Oregon Holocaust Memorial resources, use the menu above.
NEW: The Oregon Holocaust Resource Center has produced a Virtual Tour of the Oregon Holocaust Memorial which can be found here.