To Hope and Back:
Artifact Exhibit
Artifacts are objects made by human beings, and they can teach us a lot about history and culture. The objects in our lives are a part of our story. If someone looked at the items inside your desk, what would they learn about you? They would see that you are a grade 6 student, that you live in Ontario, what your name is, and more. There are so many things we can learn from examining objects! When objects have historical importance, we call them artifacts.
All of the passengers on board the MS St. Louis had objects with them, from the clothing they wore, to the documents they carried, photographs they took, and the belongings packed in their suitcases.
We are going to learn more about the journey of the St. Louis through the objects that
Lisa Avedon and her family brought with them on the voyage.
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A special thank you to the Avedon family for sharing their artifacts, and to
Talia Avedon Mirkin for sharing her voice and experiences with us. Thank you to the
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, for providing access to artifacts and knowledge.
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THE TRUNK
Many passengers on the MS St. Louis would have travelled with trunks like this one, filled with their personal belongings. We are going to explore some of the items that Lisa and her family brought with them. There are stickers on the side of this trunk, telling us where the trunk has travelled to, and helping to tell us Lisa’s story. After immigrating to Canada Lisa used this trunk to store her craft supplies, including her yarn for knitting. Lisa would have opened and closed this trunk often.
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“The trunk is the most important artifact in my family—not just because it’s big, but because my Oma, my mom, and I have all used it for years. It’s been our special storage for knitting yarn. Oma was skilled in fiber arts like weaving, knitting, needlepoint, and sewing. She was very creative and made all kinds of art, accessories, and clothes. She taught my mom to knit, and my mom taught me. Whenever we start a new project, my mom and I go to the trunk to find the right yarn. It always inspires me because it reminds me of the passion Oma put into everything she made.”
CAPTAIN'S HAT
This hat was worn by Captain Schroeder on the 1939 voyage of the St. Louis. This was Captain Schroder’s first voyage as the captain of a ship - a role that held great responsibility. This hat would have represented his position of authority to everyone aboard the
St. Louis. Captain Schroeder took his role very seriously, and felt that he was personally responsible for the well-being of his passengers - including Lisa and her family.
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OMA'S CHAIR
This chair was brought on the St. Louis by Lisa’s parents. The Avedon family would have brought it from their home in Germany to the ship, from Antwerp onto the Rhakotis, from England to America, and finally to Canada. This piece of furniture was special to the family because it was Oma Ida’s favourite chair. “Oma’s chair” would have looked a little different in the 1930s, because Lisa and her daughter updated the fabric to this pattern in the 1980s. This chair meant so much to the family that they wanted to preserve it to last for more generations to come.
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“Oma’s chair” has always been treated as a treasured artifact in our house. I’ve only sat in it once or twice—it holds a special place in our home. She used to sit in the chair and read her prized New Yorker magazines.”
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TEA SET
This tea set was part of Lisa's family’s kitchen in Germany and they brought it with them on the
St. Louis. Think of how many times Lisa's family would have used these pieces, and how many of their friends and family drank tea from this kettle and enjoyed food served on this plate. The tea set is made by a German company called “Rosenthal”, and not long after these pieces were made the owner was forced to leave his company because he was Jewish. The story of the tea set begins with the craftspeople who made it, and continues on through Lisa’s family. The Rosenthal company still exists today.
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“we only admire the tea set; it's beautiful and fragile, and we’ve always been afraid it might break. It amazes me that it survived the journey and has been preserved so well.”
CRYSTAL
These pieces of crystal were handmade by expert craftspeople in Germany, and would have been important items for Lisa's family. They would have used these on special occasions - when their family gathered around the table together to celebrate birthdays and holidays, or for Shabbat dinners. After immigrating to Canada, Lisa proudly displayed these pieces in her home and shared the story of how they were on the
St. Louis with her family and friends.
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“This fragile crystal once sat on my family's table in Germany; though it wasn’t practical to bring, they took it with them on their journey on the St. Louis. In choosing to bring it, my family showed not only their determination to hold on to something beautiful, but also their hope that there would be a future where such beauty could once again be part of their lives.”
MADELINE
Lisa brought a copy of Madeline aboard the St. Louis, and would have read it over and over again while on the ship. This book meant so much to Lisa that she named her daughter Madeline! In this photograph are many copies of Madeline books that have been read by Lisa, her children, and her grandchildren. This doll was purchased for Lisa's granddaughter Talia. Lisa loved these books throughout her life.​
“My mom used to read the Madeline book to me all the time, and it quickly became one of my favorites. I thought the story was fun, but it meant more to me when I found out that my Oma loved it too—and that she named my mom after the main character. That made the book feel even more special and connected all three of us. Every time we read it, it felt like a little piece of Oma was there with us.”
PHOTOGRAPHS
Photographs are one of the main ways that we capture memories. In the 1930s, Lisa's family could not take photographs of everything they might have wanted to. The photographs that Lisa’s family brought with them on the St. Louis would have been their only images of family members left behind. As the years went on, these photographs would have become even more important in remembering those that Lisa lost.
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“I love learning about our history through old photographs, especially ones taken in Germany before the war. The black-and-white images show a different world—the clothes, the homes, the way people posed. They give me a small glimpse into life in the 1930s. Since I never met my great-grandparents, these photos are one of the only ways I feel close to them.”
PAINTING
This painting is bigger than you might think - it would have been too big to fit into the trunk and would have been specially wrapped for its voyage aboard the
St. Louis. Though we do not know what year it was painted, or who the artist was, we know that Lisa’s family had this painting at their home in Germany. Maybe the painting was a gift, or maybe it captured a familiar landscape. Though we do not know the exact reason, Lisa's family saw this painting as more than just a beautiful decoration.​
"This painting has always had a place in the front foyer of our home. We chose that spot because it’s the first thing you see when you walk in. It’s a calm, peaceful landscape that my Oma loved. She liked how the light in the painting showed the beginning of a sunset, but you could still see the blue sky — her favourite. She also appreciated the gilded frame, which she thought was a piece of art on its own."
To Hope and Back: Artifact Exhibit
Talia's Reflection
"When my Oma Lisa passed away, I was too young to understand her story. As I grew older and began learning more, I became fascinated by her history and shared what I discovered with others whenever possible. Sharing her story with others helps me feel connected to her and honour all that she went through. I’ve spoken about her life with different groups and written about it as well. People often respond with curiosity—not just about her personal story, but about the Holocaust as a whole—and many express empathy and reflection. I love seeing how her story resonates with people and inspires learning across all grade levels.
The objects my Oma left behind— her chair, tea set, Madeline book, trunk, crystal, and old photographs—are more than just objects. Each one tells part of her story and helps me understand what her family was like before the war and how they tried to reestablish their life after the tragic experiences they went through. These items connect generations in my family and remind us of our roots. Though they’re fragile and often left untouched, these items hold powerful meaning and keep her memory close.
I think it’s important for all students to learn about the past so we can better understand the present and prepare for the future. My family’s history includes struggle, but it’s also a story of resilience and hope. Sharing my Oma’s story helps keep her memory alive, and these artifacts are a powerful way to stay connected to her and everything she went through. By passing down these stories, we make sure they’re never forgotten."