The Diary of Anne Frank The People and Places in the Play

Anne Frank Born June 12, 1929 Died early March, 1945. Anne was born in Frankfurt, Germany where she and her family lived until 1933. She is one of the most well known voices from the Holocaust.

The photo was taken in the house of the Frank family, in Amsterdam on a beautiful, sunny morning in 1941.

Otto and Edith Frank Otto Frank: (May 12, 1889 - Aug. 19, 1980) A German businessman who fought in the German Army during WWI. Mr. Frank decided to move his family to Amsterdam in the Netherlands when anti-Jewish laws allowed for attacks on Jewish individuals and their families. Edith Frank: (Jan 16, 1900 - Jan. 6, 1945) Little is known about Edith’s youth. Shortly after marrying, Edith gave birth to her first daughter, Margot. Edit died of exhaustion and malnutrition 24 days before The camp was liberated.

Margot Frank (Feb 16, 1926 - Mar 9, 1945) Margot was a very bright and accomplished student. A classmate in Amsterdam said of her: “She was good at everything but also very modest. You could trust her; you could rely on her.” One of the main reasons the Frank family went into hiding was because Margot received a deportation from the Gestapo. The deportation order required that Margot report to a work camp. The next day, the entire family went into hiding.

The Frank House This is the Frank family’s Home in Amsterdam. They Lived here until July 5, 1942, When Margot received her Call-up notice.

The Opekta factory Otto Frank owned and Ran the Opekta Factory until 1941-- the main product of this company was pectin (a gelatin used in jam-making). In 1941, when the family went into hiding, Mr. Frank turned over the company to Jan Gies and Johannes Kleiman. This is the front view of the factory Otto Frank owned. The secret annex was in the rear part of the building.

The Rear View The back side of the Opekta factory faces a small park. The neighbors to the rear and to the sides assume that no one lives in the building. Those in hiding helped conceal themselves by placing dark curtains over the windows.

Hermann and Auguste Van Pels Known as the Van Daans in the play. Hermann Van Pels (Mar 31, 1898 - Mar 31, 1944) The Van Pels family lived next door to the Franks, and Mr. Van Pels went into business with Mr. Frank as a specialist with the Pectin factory. Mr, Van Pels was gassed In Auschwitz. He was described as having “given up.” Auguste Van Pels (Sept 29, 1900 -- May 1945) Little is known of Auguste Van Pels. She is known to have been transported to Bergen-Belsen with Anne and Margot. She later died after another transfer, this time to Terezin.

Peter Van Pels (Nov 8, 1926 - May 5, 1945) Peter was the only son of Hermann and Auguste. As his family was neighbors with the Frank family, he and Anne and Margot knew each other. Peter died on a Death March between Auschwitz and Mauthausen. He died three days before the liberation of Mauthausen.

Fritz Pfeffer Known in the play as Mr. Dussel. (Apr 30, 1889 - Dec 20, 1944) A German dentist who, like Mr. Frank, also Served in the German Army during WWI. He and his fiancee, Charlotta, fled Germany for Amsterdam following the events of Kristallnacht.

A Tour: The Secret Annex

The rear of the Buiilding was Hidden by a Bookcase, Behind which Was a door.

The bookcase

Layout of the Secret Annex

Another View of the layout

Inside the Annex

Miep Gies (Feb 15, 1909 - ) Miep was a receptionist in Mr. Frank’s Opekta factory. She and her husband Jan Gies became friends with the Frank family. Miep was not alone among other Dutch citizens who felt that persecution of the Jews by the Nazis was inhumane. Along with her husband, Jan, Victor Kugler, Johannes Kleiman, and Bep Voskuijl, Miep helped ensure the Franks, Van Pelses, and Mr. Pfeffer remained hidden during the two years they spent in the secret annex.

Victor Kugler Johannes Kleiman Bep Voskuijl Known as Mr. Kraler Aug 17, 1896 - Jan 28 1959 Known as Mr. Kraler (June 5, 1900 - Dec 16, 1981) Bep Voskuijl (July 5, 1919 - May 6, 1983)

Mrs. Gies, Mr. Kleiman, Mr. Frank, Mr. Kugler, Ms. Voskuijl After Mr. Frank returns from Auschwitz as the group’s sole survivor.

The last picture This is the last known picture taken of Anne and Margot before they were forced into hiding.