New York City Historical Society's 9/11 Exhibit

In order to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks in New York City, the New York Historical Society is displaying large objects and debris resulting from the attacks. In addition, over 1500 photographs of the event and its aftermath will be displayed. According to the New York Times (September 5th, 2007, Metro Section), these objects were specially mounted so that the objects will stand out naturally. Among the objects displayed include one of the plane's landing gear, a damaged fire truck door, and a crushed clock with its time frozen at 9:04 a.m. The exhibit is called: "Here is New York: Remembering September 11, 2001". According to the New York Historical Society's president and CEO, Louise Mirrer, the exhibit is a memorial to those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001, as well a tribute to those who came to our aid. (www.nyhistory.org What's New - 6-08-07).

According to the New York Times, exhibition visitors consider the objects as almost sacred. Having seen a display of 9/11 objects in St. Paul's Church on Broadway last year, I understand the feeling. St. Paul's Church, located just diagonally across from the North Tower of the World Financial Center, was a source of comfort to rescue workers, who went to the church for quiet and rest in between hours of digging at Ground Zero. When the clean-up of Ground Zero was completed, the church was refurbished, and almost the entire perimeter of the church is now a museum of objects left behind by rescuers, and visitors offering condolences. You don't expect to cry when you enter the church, but you can't help but cry by the time you leave it. There is complete silence as visitors read the tributes and condolences from people around the world.

My sense is that this new exhibit at the New York Historical Society will evoke the same emotion. For those of us who live in New York, it doesn't take much to bring back the horrors of that day. While many people are beginning to feel that we have "been there and done that" in terms of mourning and remembrances, I think it is still fitting that we do something once a year to remember and pay tribute to those who lost their lives that day. Visiting the New York Historical Society would be one way to remember.

The New York Historical Society is located at 170 Central Park West (between 76th and 77th streets). It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For further information, you can visit their website at www.nyhistory.org.