Holocaust Museum barracks to be returned to Poland

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington is returning one of its most powerful artifacts to Poland: a wooden barracks that once housed prisoners at the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp.

The Washington Post reports the World War II-era barracks are being returned after the end of a long-term loan from the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. The barracks, a centerpiece of the museum, have been at the museum since its opening in 1993.

The museum has obtained a similar barracks that will replace the ones that are leaving. And the new barracks will belong to the museum.

The museum closed a portion of its third floor on Tuesday so the old barracks could be removed and the new one installed. The space will remain closed for five months while the switch is made.