Posted: May 1, 2026 2:55 pm
As part of the ongoing international exhibition, “Let Me Be Myself — The Life Story of Anne Frank,” Hope Springs Eternal: The Holocaust Project is proud to host a special guest presentation by Susan Robinson Hawkins on May 9 at 1:00 pm at the Heritage Discovery Center in the Cambria City neighborhood of Johnstown.
The event, titled “One Family’s Experience of the Holocaust,” offers a human connection to the history displayed in the Anne Frank exhibit. Hawkins, the daughter of Hungarian Holocaust survivors Margit Haas and David Robinson, will provide an illustrated presentation detailing her parents’ harrowing journey of survival and their eventual emigration to the United States.
In addition to the historical narrative, Hawkins will discuss the relationship between her parents’ trauma and her own life, exploring the concept of intergenerational trauma and how the echoes of history continue to shape families today.
The presentation will be held at the Frank & Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center, located at 7th & Broad Streets in Johnstown. Admission is free for Heritage Johnstown members. To encourage community participation, the Hope Springs Eternal committee is sponsoring a $2 discount on museum admission for non-members. This admission includes access to the guest speaker presentation as well as the full “Let Me Be Myself — The Life Story of Anne Frank” exhibition. Due to space considerations, preregistration is required.
This special event is brought to the region through a collaboration between Hope Springs Eternal: The Holocaust Project, the Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh, and Heritage Johnstown. The project is made possible through funding from the Community Foundation for the Alleghenies.
“Hope Springs Eternal: The Holocaust Project” is a collaborative effort by regional arts organizations to bring unique educational opportunities to the Johnstown area, focusing on the tragedy of the Holocaust and the enduring strength of the human spirit. For more information, visit www.hopespringseternalproject.com.
Frank & Sylvia Pasquerilla Heritage Discovery Center is owned and operated by the Johnstown Area Heritage Association dba Heritage Johnstown, which is a non-profit, membership-based organization that preserves and presents Johnstown’s nationally significant stories to the nation. It also owns and operates the Johnstown Flood Museum, as well as the Sidney & Rae Goldblatt Johnstown Children’s Museum. Heritage Johnstown also produces various special events throughout the year, including the AmeriServ Flood City Music Festival, Last Friday at the Ethnic Social Club and more. For more information on the organization, its museums and special events, visit www.heritagejohnstown.org.
The Holocaust Center of Pittsburgh serves as a living memorial to the victims of the Holocaust and a vital resource for survivors and their families. By honoring the history of the Holocaust, the Center seeks to inspire individuals to take a stand against modern-day prejudice and build a more civil and humane society. For more information, visit hcwpgh.org.
