Remembering the Holocaust with the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum

As a way to commemorate International Holocaust Day of Remembrance and honor the millions of individuals who were victims of the Holocaust, the Library has invited Helen Turner, Director of Education at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, to discuss the Holocaust as well as the Museum’s vast collection of oral testimonies from Holocaust survivors, liberators, witnesses, and more.

About our Speaker

Helen Turner serves as the Director of Education at the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. Her profound commitment to preserving and disseminating the lessons of history is evident in her academic journey and professional achievements.

After earning her bachelor's degree in history from Binghamton University, Turner further honed her expertise by earning a master's degree in history, with a specialization in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, from Stony Brook University. Her thesis delves into the intricate realms of collective Holocaust memory and memorial representation in museums.

Turner's contributions to the field extend beyond academia, as evidenced by her notable chapter, "Resistance as Examined through Material Possessions in Auschwitz-Birkenau," published in 2020. This work reflects nuanced aspects of resistance and material culture within the historical context of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Prior to her current role, Turner devoted seven years to the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, where she served in the Education department. Her exceptional dedication and leadership culminated in her appointment as the Director of Education for three years.

In July of 2022, Turner brought her wealth of experience and passion for Holocaust education to St. Louis, where she assumed the pivotal role of Director of Education at the newly established St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum. Her instrumental involvement in the design and successful launch of the Museum on November 2, 2022, underscores her commitment to fostering awareness and understanding of this crucial chapter in human history.

Publications: Turner, Helen. “Resistance as Examined through Material Possessions in Auschwitz-Birkenau,” Proceedings of the 21st Workshop on the History and Memory of National Socialist Camps and Extermination Sites: Between Resistance and Collaboration, Edited by Georg (Ed.)‚ Karoline, Meier (Ed.)‚ Verena, Oppermann (Ed.)‚ Paula A. Metropol, 2020, pp 27-42