An Enduring Reminder

For a theater at the gallery’s entrance, RLMG produced several films that provide an emotional introduction to the internment experience. Original footage filmed by Topaz internee Dave Tatsuno offers a rare glimpse into life behind wire. In another example, visitors take a haunting journey through the ruins of Topaz and the conflicting memories attached to this abandoned landmark.

In the museum’s main gallery, visitors explore an interactive map featuring historic photographs of daily life in places like the kitchen, the school, the guard towers, and the hospital. In the Art of Survival exhibit, visitors sort, collect, and explore the museum’s rich collection of artwork, including drawings, crafts, jewelry, and paintings made by Topaz internees. Finally, a searchable roster of Topaz internees allows visitors to find information about their ancestors or simply learn about some of the 11,212 people interned at Topaz.