NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY TO GIFT A SELECTION OF OBJECTS FROM ITS 9/11 COLLECTION TO THE NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL MUSEUM

The New-York Historical Society announced today that it will donate six objects from its September 11 collection to the National September 11 Memorial Museum. These six artifacts are among 20 objects loaned to the museum for its inaugural display and include objects both large and small—from a damaged NYPD vehicle door to “thank you” signs from the Ground Zero recovery effort.

In keeping with its founding mission, almost immediately following the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, the New-York Historical Society committed its resources to compiling, cataloging, and exhibiting historical evidence related to 9/11. Since then, New-York Historical has presented a series of special exhibitions, public programs, community meetings, and school and teacher programs relating to the attacks.

“New-York Historical’s September 11 Collection was assembled under the leadership of President Emeritus Kenneth T. Jackson, a great historian of New York who understood, just as our institution's founders did, the importance of collecting and preserving artifacts—even in the most tragic of times—so that future generations might better understand the past," said Dr. Louise Mirrer, President and CEO of the New-York Historical Society. "The National September 11 Memorial Museum is a powerful repository for these artifacts and we are proud today to partner with them so that they can be understood by the broadest possible public within the greater context of the 9/11 Memorial and the Museum's display.”

The donated objects include the Chelsea Jeans Memorial containing articles of clothing and display units covered in World Trade Center dust; a NYPD vehicle door from of very few 9/11-damaged vehicles that still exist, which evokes the heroic actions of the New York Police Department on 9/11 and the days following; three Point “Thank You” signs displayed on the West Side Highway by New Yorkers expressing support for the Ground Zero recovery workers; a Catholic Mass sign that complements the World Trade Center Cross, one of the Museum's most iconic artifacts; the Messenger Bike Memorial and sign from the informal shrine to all messengers and delivery persons lost in the attacks; and a recovered in-flight magazine page, evidence of the hijacked planes that was among the thousands of pieces of paper litering the streets of lower Manhattan.

 
“The objects generously donated by the New-York Historical Society are critical and virtually irreplaceable components of the Museum's historical exhibition," said Alice Greenwald, Director of the National September 11 Memorial Museum and Executive Vice President Exhibitions, Collections & Education. “We are grateful for New-York Historical's support of our shared mission to educate the public about the events of 9/11 and for their team's prescience in 2001, without which these objects might not exist today.”

The New-York Historical Society maintains a sizable September 11 collection, and displays a permanent installation of photographs and other materials donated by survivors, witnesses, and rescuers in the Robert H. & Clarice Smith New York Gallery of American History.

About the New-York Historical Society
The New-York Historical Society, one of America's pre-eminent cultural institutions, is dedicated to fostering research and presenting history and art exhibitions and public programs that reveal the dynamism of history and its influence on the world of today. Founded in 1804, New-York Historical has a mission to explore the richly layered history of New York City and State and the country, and to serve as a national forum for the discussion of issues surrounding the making and meaning of history.

About the National September 11 Memorial Museum
The National September 11 Memorial & Museum is the not-for-profit corporation created to oversee the design, fundraising, programming and operations of the Memorial and Museum. The Memorial and Museum are located on eight of the 16 acres of the World Trade Center site.

The Memorial remembers and honors the 2,983 people who were killed in the horrific attacks of September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. The design, created by Michael Arad and Peter Walker, consists of two reflecting pools formed in the footprints of the original Twin Towers and a plaza of trees. The Museum displays monumental artifacts linked to the events of 9/11, while presenting intimate stories of loss, compassion, reckoning and recovery that are central to telling the story of the 2001 and 1993 attacks and the aftermath. It also explores the global impact of 9/11 and its continuing significance. Davis Brody Bond are the architects of the belowground Museum and Snøhetta designed its entry pavilion. The Museum’s exhibition designers include Thinc, Local Projects and Layman Design.

For more information or to reserve a ticket to the 9/11 Memorial Museum, go to 911memorial.org.