Wassmuth Center for Human Rights

Home of the Idaho Anne Frank Memorial

About the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights

The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights is dedicated to promoting human dignity and diversity through education. As the founders and home of the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, we invite visitors to reflect on the past, engage in meaningful dialogue, and take action for a just and inclusive future.

In our new Philip E. Batt Education Building, visitors can explore interactive exhibits and original works of art that bring human rights stories to life and spark conversation, and connection. Together, the Memorial and Education Building serve as a powerful campus for learning and action.

We envision an Idaho where everyone is valued, treated with respect, and empowered to protect and promote human rights. Through our programs and exhibits, we provide learners of all ages with the knowledge, skills, and resources to build a more just world.

Visit Us

The Wassmuth Center Campus is Located in Downtown Boise at 777 S. 8th Street, ID 83702

General Office & Gift Shop Hours (Philip E. Batt Building)

Open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Closed Mondays from 1:00 – 3:00 PM

Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial

Open daily from dawn to dusk
No appointment required for self-guided visits

Art of Human Rights Exhibit (Philip E Batt Building)

Self-guided tours available daily on a walk-in basis
Access may be limited during scheduled programming or events—check our Programs Calendar for availability.

Dimensions in Testimony Exhibit (Philip E Batt Building)

Offered by scheduled session only.
Visit the Dimensions in Testimony page for more information.

Closed Monday, June 16th

In Observance of the Juneteenth Holiday

The Wassmuth Center will be closed Monday, June 16th in observation of the Juneteenth holiday.

We hope you’ll join us for a warm and welcoming Community Open House on Wednesday, June 19th from 11am to 2pm—for a chance to gather, learn about this pivotal moment in American History and celebrate the power of belonging together.

Support the New Building

The new Philip E. Batt Education Building, home to the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, opened to the public on October 11, 2024. Named in honor of former Idaho Governor Philip E. Batt, the building recognizes his leadership and lifelong commitment to promoting human rights for all Idahoans.

While the facility is now complete and serving visitors, there are still meaningful ways to be part of this legacy.

Supporters can purchase commemorative pavers or explore sponsorship opportunities to help sustain and grow the Center’s impact.

We invite you to join us in building a more inclusive future—brick by brick.

Updates & Events

Visit Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate at the Wassmuth Center through August 8.

Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate – Now on View in Boise

The national art exhibition Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate is now open in Boise for the first time, on view through August 8, 2025. The exhibition is hosted at three venues across the city: the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights, the Erma Hayman House, and Albertsons Library at Boise State University. Each location features a different selection of artwork and is free and open to the public. For venue hours, programming, and more details, visit: Wassmuth Center for Human Rights – Speaking Volumes

This powerful exhibition began in Montana in 2004, when a former leader of a white supremacist group turned over more than 4,000 of the group’s hate-filled books to the Montana Human Rights Network. In response, the Holter Museum of Art invited artists from across the country to transform the books into works of art that challenge hate and promote healing. The result is Speaking Volumes: Transforming Hate—a collection of over 250 pieces in diverse media, including sculpture, painting, ceramics, printmaking, and photography. Through their work, the artists invite viewers to reflect, engage in dialogue, and imagine a more inclusive and just future.

This exhibition is presented in partnership with Speaking Volumes Art Action (SVAA), the Holter Museum of Art, and with local support from the Pegan Family.

Be a Part of Building Our Future

The Wassmuth Center for Human Rights is 100% dependent on donations. We need your help to continue the valuable work being done in classrooms and communities throughout the state.