Camp Westerbork Memorial Center recounts the murder of more than 100,000 Dutch Jews, Sinti and Roma during the Second World War. It also shares the stories of the men, women and children that survived the persecution. Between 1942 and 1945, more than 100 trains left Camp Westerbork for the Nazi extermination camps of Auschwitz and Sobibor, and the Bergen-Belsen and Theresienstadt concentration camps.
But the history of Camp Westerbork did not end in 1945. The camp continued to be used for over 25 years as an internment camp, or to provide temporary shelter. For instance, the camp served as a residential camp for evacuated Moluccan military personnel and their families for some 20 years, during which time it was called ‘Woonoord Schattenberg’.
Camp Westerbork memorialises important events in 20th century European history. Visitors can learn about the stories and experiences of the prisoners and inhabitants in the museum and on the grounds of Camp Westerbork.
But the history of Camp Westerbork did not end in 1945. The camp continued to be used for over 25 years as an internment camp, or to provide temporary shelter. For instance, the camp served as a residential camp for evacuated Moluccan military personnel and their families for some 20 years, during which time it was called ‘Woonoord Schattenberg’.
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The Dutch government ordered the construction of Camp Westerbork in 1939 as a refugee camp for Jews from Nazi Germany. In 1942 the Nazis took over the camp and used it as central location for the persecution of Dutch Jews, Sinti and Roma. The Nazis deported some 107,000 people from Camp Westerbork, among which are 247 Sinti and Roma. No less than 102,000 of all these people were murdered in the Nazi camps. Camp Westerbork functioned as a deportation machine.
The first train departed on 15 July 1942. More than 100 would follow. These transports determined life in the camp, week after week. The question was always whether your name was on the list. People often stayed only briefly in Westerbork. To prevent any unrest, the prisoners were only told who is on the list a few hours in advance. The destination was usually Auschwitz or, in 1943, Sobibor. In a few cases the train departed for Theresienstadt or Bergen-Belsen. The last transport departed on 13 September 1944, carrying away among others 51Jewish children that had been discovered in hiding.
After the end of the war, Camp Westerbork was used as a prison camp for Dutch citizens suspected of collaborating with the Nazis. After that it became part of Dutch colonial history: first as a military training camp, then as a temporary shelter for people returning from the former colony of the Dutch East Indies, and finally, for 20 years, as a residential camp for evacuated Moluccan military personnel and their families. The last buildings were demolished in 1971.
It might be that your own family history is in some way tied to Camp Westerbork or Woonoord Schattenberg. You can perform online research in the collection, or visit the museum and former camp grounds.
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The Second World War took place 80 years ago. How is this history relevant for you? Learn about it in one of our educational programmes and do your own research into the history of Jewish families that were deported from Dutch towns or villages to Camp Westerbork.
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