Anne Frank House Amsterdam

Anne Frank house Amsterdam today not only preserves this place of historical importance but also houses an exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank.

During Second World War, for more than two years, Anne Frank and her family lived in the annex of the house on 236-Prinsengracht, which served as their hideout.

The same building where Anne’s father also had his business is currently referred to as the Anne Frank house, Amsterdam.

Historical backdrop
Anne Frank house Amsterdam was originally built by Dirk Van Delft in 1635. This building, which underwent a renovation in 1739 originally served the purpose of a residence and was later, turned to a warehouse.

In the 19th century the front warehouse was used as a horse stable whereas at the onset of 20th century a household appliance manufacturer took over the building.

A producer of piano rolls came to reside in the home in 1930 and left it in 1934. In the next year December, Anne’s father Otto Frank acquired the ownership of this house and moved here his spice and gelling company – Opekta & Pectacon.

The incidents at a glimpse
The Anne Frank house Amsterdam had three sections of which the first section was goods and dispatch entrance, the middle section dealt with spice mills and the rear section accommodated the warehouse.

In 1942, with Hitler taking control of Germany and the Jewish population coming under Nazi threat, Anne Frank’s and Pels family along with Fritz Pfeffer decided to hide in the annex of what is called the Anne Frank house, Amsterdam.

A moveable bookcase hid the entrance to the Annex, which was known only by the office personnel of Opekta and Pectacon. They supplied the eight people in hidings with foods and news of the outer world for more than two years.

On 4th August 1944 the hiding place was betrayed and the hidden members were taken to various concentration camps of which only Otto Frank survived. He finally published his daughter’s book at the end of World War II.

Some more details
With the publication of Anne Frank’s diary, 263-Prinsengracht started attracting a huge number of visitors. In 1955, the ownership of the building passed in the hands of a real estate agent who passed a demolition order.

With the intervention of the Dutch paper “Het Vrije Volk”, the property received a “stay of execution” order and with the earnest effort on Otto Frank’s part, the Anne Frank foundation was set up in 1957.

It is this foundation, which took the initiative of turning this building into a museum. The Anne Frank house Amsterdam was opened to public in 1960 and its opening hours are from 9a.m. to 7 p.m. The admission fee is Euro 7.5 for adults and 3.5 for children up to 10 years.

So, if the writings of the Anne Frank’s diary have always inspired you like million others, come to Anne Frank house Amsterdam. This museum will surely bring her writings alive!

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