This summer, Queens is playing a vital role in honoring the enduring legacy of Anne Frank. In partnership with Bank of America, UJA‑Federation of New York, the Center for Jewish History, New York City Public Schools, and the Queens Public Library (QPL), the Anne Frank House has launched “Summer of Reflection: The Legacy of Anne Frank”, distributing 10,000 free copies of The Diary of a Young Girl citywide.
On June 12—what would have been Anne’s 96th birthday—QPL branches across the borough widely opened their doors to families, offering diaries during story hours, teen workshops, and summer reading events. Many copies also joined school and branch collections, ensuring long-term community access.
Born in Frankfurt on June 12, 1929, Anne Frank and her family fled to Amsterdam in 1934 to escape Nazi persecution. In July 1942, they went into hiding in a cleft behind a revolving bookcase at Prinsengracht 263. For 761 days, eight people—including the Van Pels family and Fritz Pfeffer—lived in silence. Anne addressed her diary to a fictional “Kitty,” filling its pages with thoughts of adolescent hopes, human kindness, and her often-quoted belief: “Despite everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart.”
Their hiding ended in August 1944 when the annex was betrayed and raided. Anne and her sister Margot died in Bergen-Belsen in early 1945, but Miep Gies courageously retrieved Anne’s writings. Otto Frank later published the diary in 1947. Since then, it has been translated into more than 70 languages and remains one of the most poignant personal accounts of the Holocaust.
QPL’s President and CEO, Dennis M. Walcott, emphasized the book’s enduring power: “Anne Frank’s diary is a powerful mirror reflecting the dangers of antisemitism and hatred that persist in our world.” And Eric S. Goldstein, CEO of UJA-Federation, added: “Anne Frank’s diary gives voice to the hopes and fears of a young girl facing unimaginable hatred…our hope is that young readers will be inspired to stand up to hate, to find courage in the face of adversity, and to believe in the power of their own voices.”
Just a subway ride away, the Center for Jewish History in Union Square hosts Anne Frank The Exhibition—the world’s first full-scale recreation of the Secret Annex outside Amsterdam. Spanning over 7,500 sq ft and showcasing over 100 original artifacts, including Anne’s photo album, handwritten invitations, and diary pages, the exhibit immerses visitors in her daily world.
To encourage local engagement, the exhibition offers free admission on Fridays from 2:45–5:00 p.m. starting June 13, and select Fridays in July and August. Up to 250 public-library cardholders—from QPL, NYPL, or BPL—can visit each day on a first-come, first-served basis.
“Our mission is to combat hate and intolerance through education,” said Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld, President of the Center for Jewish History.
Over 150,000 visitors have already experienced the exhibit since its January launch. Due to overwhelming demand, the exhibition has been extended through October 31, 2025.
This summer, Queens libraries are also holding panel discussions and creative workshops, inviting teens to reflect on Anne’s themes through writing and art. And for visiting students, diary handouts are accompanied by free tickets and guided tours.
Anne Frank’s diary and the recreated Annex are more than historical artifacts—they are bridges across generations and cultures. In a borough as diverse as Queens, these offerings remind us that empathy, moral courage, and personal resilience are as critical today as they were in Anne’s time.
In Anne’s own determined words: “One voice can make a difference.” This summer in Queens and across the city, that is exactly what is happening.
Visit Info
Free diary pick-up and events: Now through summer at all QPL branches
Anne Frank The Exhibition: Center for Jewish History (15 W 16th St, Manhattan)
Free Friday admission 2:45–5 PM (June 13; Fridays in July/August) for library cardholders
Regular tickets $24–$31, plus youth, family & group options—details at AnneFrankExhibit.org
Summer of Reflection: Queens Amplifies Anne Frank’s Legacy This Summer
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