Artis Amsterdam Zoo

Artis Amsterdam Zoo. . , Artis Amsterdam Zoo became a safe haven for many avoiding capture during the years of Nazi occupation of The Netherlands, including France Verdoner Kan of Wilmington. Francisca's parents sent her and her siblings into hiding after Nazis commandeered their home. She honors Amsterdam's Artis Royal Zoo, where, as a child, Francisca spent many long days, while staff members hid hundreds of other Jews throughout the zoo, primarily in food storage lofts just above the animal cages. Hiding in these lofts was particularly dangerous, as the zoo was a popular recreation site for the occupying Germans. It was partly due to their frequent attendance, however, that allowed the zoo to remain in operation throughout the war and continually buy food, which not only sustained the animals, but those hiding above their cages as well. After the war, Francisca immigrated to the United States with surviving members of her family in 1948.