An exhibit documenting the horror of the Holocaust has generated renewed interest in a project that would double the size of the Berks Military History Museum.

“The extraordinary response of the public has deepened our conviction,” said state Rep. Mark M. Gillen, museum president and founder. “It became apparent that it filled an informational void in the lives of many people.”

In September, the museum dedicated a gallery to artifacts from the Holocaust during World War II.

Nine months in the making, the exhibit chronicled the history of the Holocaust from Hitler’s rise to power in 1933 to the settlement of Israel as the Jewish homeland in 1948.

Gillen acknowledges the proposed Holocaust Museum and Education Center, an addition to the museum, faces many hurdles. Not the least of which is the need to raise an estimated $2 million for construction and related costs.

Yet, he’s confident enough to have scheduled a ceremonial groundbreaking July 1 at 4 p.m. at the museum at 198 E. Wyomissing Avenue in Mohnton.

Participants in the groundbreaking include representatives of the Holocaust Awareness Museum and Education Center in Philadelphia and the Jewish Federation of Reading.

The Holocaust exhibit opened a new chapter in the history of the museum, whose mission is to honor the men and women who served in the nation’s armed forces.

Gillen, a certified teacher who serves on the House Education Committee, said preserving the memory of the Holocaust is essential for the education of future generations.

“The history of the Holocaust cannot be separated from the history of World War II, he said.

Growing pains
On a wing and a prayer, the Berks Military History Museum opened in the historic Cyrus D. Hornberger carriage factory in 2017.

Within a year, it was already running out of space.

Generous donations of uniforms, weapons and other artifacts, mainly from World War I and World War II, filled several galleries on the main floor and a large gallery on the upper floor, which contains a room-sized diorama of the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

In 2018, Gillen announced plans to construct an addition to the museum, a classic 19th century factory building built in 1873.

“To fulfill our mission,” Gillen said, “we’re going to have to have more capacity.”

Little movement on the project occurred until, in the aftermath of the Holocaust exhibit, it gained momentum.

Gillen noticed that visitors, some from out of state, lingered for extended periods in the Holocaust gallery.

“When you see people contemplating an exhibit for 45 minutes,” he said, “you know you’ve hit a pulse.”

In observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day in January, Gillen put part of the exhibit on display in a hallway of the state Capitol.

Beneath a large painting of George Washington reviewing troops during the American Revolution, mannequins wearing gray and blue concentration camp uniforms offered a stark reminder of the fragility of freedom.

U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Chester County Democrat who represents part of Berks, and staff members were recently given a private tour of the exhibit in Mohnton.

"I'm so grateful that this dark chapter in our world's history is being highlighted at the Berks Military History Museum,” said Houlahan. “In light of the recent uprise in anti-Semitic attacks, it's more important than ever that we continue to learn about the tragedy that was the Holocaust and recommit ourselves to the lesson of ‘Never Again.’”

Houlahan's grandfather is believed to have died in the Warsaw ghetto and her father escaped it as a child, a Houlahan aide confirmed.

Gillen has met with Chuck Feldman, president of the Holocaust Awareness and Education Center, who indicated the possibility of providing artifacts on loan for display in the new building.

He’s also consulted staff members at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington.

Charting a vision 
As envisioned, the Holocaust Museum and Education Center would adjoin the Berks Military History Museum.

It would connect to the main building, and an elevator would carry visitors from the above-ground basement near Mohnton Memorial Park to the upper floors.

The building would house galleries and an auditorium for teaching, seminars by guest speakers and other presentations. A reading and research room would be located next to the auditorium.

Though Gillen has consulted builders, engineers and code enforcement authorities about the feasibility of locating a building onsite, a final design has yet to be determined.

“There’s debate about whether it should look like the existing building or have a character all its own,” Gillen said.

Funding for the project is complicated by Gillen’s position as a member of the General Assembly. Securing a state grant, even if one were available, could give the appearance of a conflict of interest, he said.

“My role is to lay out a vision and maintain momentum on the project,” he said. “Then, I’m confident the public, veterans groups, foundations and businesses will step up.”

The challenge might be difficult, Gillen says, but not impossible.

For nearly four years, the Berks Military History Museum has operated on a shoe-string budget without charging admission to the public.

A cadre of dedicated volunteers and supporters have created a repository of history from uniforms, weapons and other artifacts once belonging to Berks residents who served their country.

“It’s going to take a miracle,” Gillen acknowledged. “But I’m a person of faith, and I believe it can be done.”