The Eight in Hiding
For 761 days, eight people lived hidden in a secret annex behind a bookcase at Prinsengracht 263 in Amsterdam. This is their story.
THE SECRET ANNEX - FLOOR PLAN
FRONT HOUSE ANNEX
(Office below) (Hidden behind bookcase)
+---------------+ +------------------+
| | B | |
| LANDING | O | FRANK ROOM |
| | O | (Otto, Edith, |
+---------------+ K | Margot, Anne) |
C +------------------+
A | |
S | VAN PELS ROOM |
E | (Hermann, |
| Auguste, Peter)|
+------------------+
| |
| SMALL ROOM |
| (Pfeffer, Anne |
| later moved) |
+------------------+
| ATTIC |
| (Storage, Anne |
| & Peter's spot)|
+------------------+
Anne Frank
1929-1945
The diarist, 13-15 during hiding. Dreamed of becoming a writer or journalist. Her diary immortalized all eight lives.
Margot Frank
1926-1945
Anne's older sister, quiet and studious. The family initially went into hiding after she received a call-up notice for labor camp.
Otto Frank
1889-1980
Anne's father, businessman. The only survivor of the eight. Dedicated his life to publishing and preserving Anne's diary.
Edith Frank
1900-1945
Anne's mother. Died of starvation at Auschwitz-Birkenau in January 1945.
Hermann van Pels
1898-1944
Business partner of Otto Frank. Gassed at Auschwitz shortly after arrival.
Auguste van Pels
1900-1945
Hermann's wife. Died during transport between camps.
Peter van Pels
1926-1945
Son of Hermann and Auguste. Anne's first love. Died at Mauthausen concentration camp.
Fritz Pfeffer
1889-1944
A dentist who joined the group later. Died at Neuengamme concentration camp.
"I see the eight of us in the Annex as if we were a patch of blue sky surrounded by menacing black clouds."
- Anne Frank, November 19, 1942