GEORGETOWN, Ky. — A 1,100 square foot traveling exhibit challenges the assumption that Americans knew little and did nothing about the Nazi persecution of Jews during the Holocaust.

Americans and the Holocaust is on display through Jan. 4 at the Scott County Public Library.

Director of adult services at the library, Melissa Gibson said the library is one of 50 nationwide that can host the traveling exhibition.

“We applied for the grant in late summer/early fall of 2019. We never thought we’d have a chance to be chosen,” Gibson said.

The exhibit showcases Americans’ views on refugees, war and genocide from the 1930s through 1945.

“I think for most people they think of it as something that happened ‘over there’. It was a European experience; they don’t really think about it deeply in terms of how it affected Americans and how Americans affected events over there,” Gibson said.

Gibson said it challenges visitors to consider obstacles faced by the president to ordinary Americans and ask: What would I have done differently and what will I do now?

“Of course we want to think the best of ourselves and I continue to do that; I think at the end of the day we as a people have done more right than wrong, but the darker parts we do need to face in any kind of history,” Gibson said.

Gibson said many visitors have already stopped in, including field trips.

“The more people we can expose to this, the better it is,” Gibson said.

The exhibit is open during the library’s normal hours; 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays.

The exhibit is recommended for ages 15 and older. Group tours can also be arranged by contacting the Scott County Library.