Establishes the Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park as part of the National Park System to preserve and interpret the stories of the 982 refugees.
Kirsten Gillibrand
Senator
NY
The "Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act" establishes a new National Historical Park to preserve and interpret the story of the Fort Ontario refugee shelter. The park will be managed by the Secretary of the Interior, who can acquire land through donation, purchase, or exchange, and is required to create a management plan for the park within 3 fiscal years. Cooperative agreements with state, public, and private entities may be formed to aid in the park's interpretive and educational services.
Fort Ontario to Become National Park Honoring Holocaust Refugees: New Law Preserves Safe Haven Site
The "Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Establishment Act" officially greenlights the creation of a new National Historical Park at Fort Ontario in Oswego, New York. This isn't just any park; it's going to be a permanent reminder of a unique piece of American and world history. From August 1944 to February 1946, Fort Ontario served as the only emergency refugee shelter in the United States for victims of the Holocaust, housing 982 people, predominantly Jewish refugees.
From Army Base to Sanctuary
The core of the bill focuses on turning Fort Ontario into a place where people can learn about the lives and experiences of those 982 refugees. Think of it like this: instead of just reading about history in a textbook, you’ll be able to walk the grounds where these individuals lived after escaping unimaginable horrors. The law, specifically in SEC. 3., tasks the Secretary of the Interior with making this happen. They'll be responsible for acquiring the necessary land, and managing the park in line with other National Park System sites. The park's boundary is defined by a map titled "Fort Ontario Holocaust Refugee Shelter National Historical Park Proposed Boundary," numbered 962194,681, and dated September 2024 (SEC. 2.).
Making History Accessible
This new park won't just be about dusty old buildings. The bill, under SEC. 3., allows the Secretary of the Interior to team up with state agencies, local groups, and even private organizations. This means we can expect interactive exhibits, educational programs, and maybe even partnerships with museums or historical societies. Imagine a local school group partnering with a university to create a digital archive of refugee stories, or a historical society helping to restore a building to how it looked in 1945. This collaborative approach aims to bring the history to life for everyone, from students to tourists to descendants of the refugees themselves. The bill requires a general management plan to be created within three fiscal years after funds are made available (SEC. 3.).
Getting It Done and Open
Here's the practical part: the park officially gets established once the Secretary of the Interior confirms enough land has been acquired to run things properly (SEC. 3.). The land can be acquired by donation, purchase with donated funds, or even through exchange. The State of New York can donate land, but it can't be purchased outright from them (SEC. 3.). Once everything is set, they'll publish a notice in the Federal Register, and Fort Ontario will officially join the ranks of America's National Parks. While the process may take time, the end result will be a lasting tribute to a vital, often overlooked, chapter of history.