Anne Frank Center — Local services in Columbia

Having just reread The Diary of Anne Frank for the first time in decades, my wife suggested we sign up to tour The Anne Frank Center on the campus of The University of South Carolina. The only such center in North America affiliated with the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam.

With Anne’s story fresh in my mind and the atrocities occurring daily in Ukraine, visiting the center sounded like a good idea.

We were greeted by our gracious host, Hungarian born Diana Serhal. Her beautiful accent and rewarding work with the Amsterdam house enhanced our humbling experience.

Our tour guides, Amanda & Claire, have a passion for human sensitivity and were very knowledgeable as we visited each room, which isn’t meant to be a replica of the Anne Frank house, but an education through pictures and artifacts. It was extremely interesting and we were encouraged to express our own thoughts and feelings.

I would highly recommend this to everyone. Very polished and professional in an intimate setting that leaves you with a deep sense of admiration for what a 14 year old girl had to endure. Anne wanted to be a writer and possibly, a celebrity. Ironic that she achieved both, posthumously.

Rod &...

Because I haven’t been able to visit Amsterdam, the Anne Frank Center offered a powerful and deeply moving window into one of history’s darkest chapters. Walking through the exhibits, I felt a profound connection to Anne’s story—her words, her courage, and the unimaginable circumstances she endured. The center does an extraordinary job of honoring her legacy while educating visitors about the horrors of the Holocaust. It’s not just a museum—it’s a call to remember, to reflect, and to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated. This experience left me humbled and inspired. It’s a must-visit for anyone seeking to understand the past and its relevance to...

The Anne Frank Center in Columbia, South Carolina is an experience I will never forget. Although I have not traveled to Amsterdam to visit the actual house where the Frank family secretly lived for more than 2 years, this center definitely took me there, otherwise. Highly knowledgeable docents lead conversation through historical timelines and areas representing the actual living space where Anne Frank was quartered. The two hour visit is stirring and memorable. I learned so much. Tripadvisor should rank this visit as one of the top "must sees" when...