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The Museum appreciates the many schools, organizations and individuals – of all ages – who have participated in the project. These frequently asked questions will help guide you as your organization works to complete the project.
- How many butterflies have you received?
- It is estimated that the Museum has received more than 900,000 butterflies toward the eventual goal of 1.5 million.
- Is there a deadline for the project?
- Holocaust Museum Houston will accept butterflies for the exhibition through 2012.
- Are there any age restrictions to participate in the project?
- Not at all! Individuals and groups of all ages have participated in the project. Usually, participants who are under the age of 9 or 10 do not have the full history of the Holocaust taught to them. The Museum has no official policy on when to teach children about the Holocaust; however, we recommend that very young children be told only that the butterflies represent children who have died.
- How will the butterflies be exhibited?
- The exhibition of The Butterfly Project is scheduled for Spring 2013. Current plans include a small exhibition of the butterflies at the Museum itself from January to June. A larger exhibition of almost all of the butterflies would then take place at a larger city venue to be announced over a long weekend. Details about the exhibition will be posted in the Fall of 2013.
- What will you do with the butterflies after the project?
- A committee will be formed to discuss the disposal of the butterflies. There are no fixed plans at the present time.
- Can I receive my butterfly back after the exhibition?
- Butterflies submitted for this project become the property of Holocaust Museum Houston. We are not able to return butterflies after the exhibition. Because of this issue, some sites prefer to conduct their own project and not send the Museum the butterflies. This is more than acceptable and a wonderful way for communities to continue to teach about the Holocaust and its lessons. You may submit a photograph of the butterflies so that your butterflies are counted as a part of our project.
- When was this project started?
- The Butterfly Project began prior to the Museum's opening in 1996 as a class project under the direction of then-teacher and current Holocaust Museum Houston Executive Director Susan Myers.
- If I can’t send you a picture of my butterfly, is that okay?
- We know that not all people have access to a digital camera and understand if you cannot sent a photograph.
- Whoops! I just saw that your Web site says that glitter-related and/or food products should not be used. Can I still send the butterflies to you?
- Yes, although we do prefer that glitter not be used because it may fall off the butterfly. Due to curatorial and storage restrictions, butterflies made from food products will be discarded. Of course, you may take a photograph and send that to us.
- I want to make a butterfly out of wood or metal – is that okay?
- Yes, it is. Each butterfly represents a child who perished during the Holocaust. Each child was a unique person, so different mediums are welcomed.
- How should I send the butterflies to you – mail, Federal Express or UPS? And, will you notify me when they arrive?
- Any method of mailing is acceptable. Please package the butterflies so that all strings are removed (if you displayed them from your ceiling) and use the submission form from our Web site. If you have breakable butterflies, please be sure to wrap them in newspaper or bubble wrap so that they don’t break.
- Can you notify me or my school when you receive the butterflies?
- We are not able to send notifications of arrival. The butterflies are housed and archived off-site from the Museum by a committed group of volunteers and staff members.
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