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The Accordion

Artifacts Unpacked Video Series

Hilde Anker could only take a few items when she fled Nazi Germany in June 1939. The 13-year-old made room for her accordion.

After witnessing the destruction wrought by the Nazis in the Kristallnacht riot, Hilde’s parents, Georg and Gertrude, were determined to emigrate.

They made the agonizing decision to split up the family and sent their three daughters away on a Kindertransport, a rescue effort that brought thousands of refugee children from Nazi Germany to Great Britain.

About the Artifacts

Artifacts shown in the video were donated to the Museum by George Fogelson. Learn more about the accordion.