The six glass towers are arranged in a straight line that visitors walk through, representing a path through history.
Each glass tower contains a series of numbers that represent the six million victims, with no two numbers repeating in a single tower.
The memorial's design uses light, steam, and text to engage multiple senses in the act of remembrance.
The site is located on the Freedom Trail, one of the most significant historical walking paths in the United States.
The ground beneath the towers is made of black granite, which mirrors the glass and creates a sense of depth and reflection.
The memorial was the result of a grassroots effort by a committee of Holocaust survivors and community members.
The New England Holocaust Memorial is a striking outdoor installation in Boston's historic Blackstone Block district. It features six glass towers, each standing 54 feet tall, representing both the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust and the six major Nazi extermination camps. The towers are constructed of steel and glass, illuminated from within to create a glowing effect at night. Etched into the glass panels are millions of individual numbers, reminiscent of the tattoos forced upon concentration camp prisoners. Steam rises from grates in the floor through the center of the towers, symbolizing the chimney smoke of the crematoria. Granite plaques inscribed with quotes from survivors and historical figures are embedded in the walkway. The memorial was designed by architect Stanley Saitowitz and dedicated in 1995. It serves as a permanent site for remembrance and education regarding the events of the Holocaust.
From the entrance of the path looking through the center of the six glass towers.
Visit during the early morning or evening hours to see the glass towers illuminated against the changing sky.
Take time to read the personal inscriptions on the granite base, as they provide essential context from survivor perspectives.
The site is fully outdoors and open to the elements, so check the weather before visiting.
Treating the installation as a casual photo backdrop or playground, as it is a place of deep historical and emotional significance.
Maintain a quiet, respectful demeanor suitable for a site of remembrance; refrain from climbing on the structures.
