The Museum and Memorial were established to preserve Cambodian culture, educate on genocide and human rights, and move beyond survival to healing.
In October 2004 The Cambodian Association of Illinois, established the Cambodian American Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial to preserve Cambodian culture, facilitate the general public’s understanding on genocide and human rights and to heal and bring Cambodian-Americans together to move beyond survival to self-sufficiency. The Killing Fields Memorial, which is the only memorial of its kind outside Cambodia, commemorates the 3.4 million people who died in the genocide during the Khmer Rouge regime. It provides a space and opportunity for survivors and the younger generations to come together and begin the dialogue on bridging generation gaps and healing. Finally, the museum is a place of celebration and the triumphs of survivors and the culture that was saved from near obliteration.
The mission of the Cambodian American Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial is to remember the lives that were lost during the Khmer Rouge through cultural preservation, community enrichment, and genocide education. The Museum and Memorial fulfills its mission through the exhibition, preservation and interpretation of its collections and through education programs and initiatives that foster the promotion of human rights and the elimination of genocide. To promote and foster the continual process of healing, the Museum strives to recognize and support Cambodian and Cambodian American artisans, musicians, and organizers through collaborations, art and culture residencies, and workshops.
