Safe Haven Museum and Education Center, Holocaust refugee museum in Oswego, United States.
The Safe Haven Museum documents the experiences of about 1000 people who found shelter at Fort Ontario during World War II. The collection includes photographs, letters, personal belongings, and other documents showing how these refugees lived in the camp and afterward.
Fort Ontario opened in 1944 as the only shelter for Holocaust refugees on American soil after President Roosevelt made this decision. The camp closed in 1946, and most of its residents stayed in the United States afterward, building new lives here.
The museum tells stories of European refugees who arrived seeking safety and rebuilt their lives in America during wartime. Visitors can see how these people maintained hope and resilience while adapting to a new country.
The museum is located in a building near the former camp grounds and opens from spring through early fall. Plan to spend at least two hours to explore the exhibits thoroughly and read the many personal accounts on display.
Many of the refugees who stayed in the camp experienced an unexpectedly warm welcome from the local Oswego community during their first days in America. This connection between the camp and the city is shown throughout the exhibits, highlighting a hopeful side of this difficult history.
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