From Closet to Exhibition: Camilla Gottlieb’s Purse

This telegraph was sent in May, 1946 and is from Camilla’s daughter Lony. It let Camilla know that she’d be able to go to the United States and be reunited with her family.

Smithsonian Intern Peter Olson had the opportunity to interview curators Nancy Davis and William Yeingst about their new exhibition, Camilla’s Purse, in the National Museum of American History (NMAH). Camillas’ Purse tells the story of a Jewish family from Vienna, Austria, as they fought to survive during the Holocaust, and eventually immigrating to the United States. Get the inside scoop on this compelling exhibition in Peter Olson’s article.

“It really was serving as a vehicle to contain all the documents that were important to her life.” –Nancy Davis