Behind the scenes, preparations are underway for the first rotation of artifacts in the public galleries since the 9/11 Memorial Museum opened one year ago. Because our preservation obligations require rest periods for materials sensitive to light and gravity, several 9/11 response-art items which helped to inaugurate the Museum will be replaced with a new selection of objects from our permanent collection.  Due to this conservation mandate, the much admired Victims’ Memorial Quilt has been retired to help preserve it.

The expansive, 60-foot long quilt features three panel sections, each dedicated to a 9/11 attack site. The names and portrait images of those respective victims are further arranged into groupings by company, flight and responder agency.

Florida resident Jeannie Ammermann conceived the concept for the quilt on September 14, 2001, as a gesture of condolence to those affected by 9/11.

“Privileging the names and faces of those killed, the quilts would honor both the individuality and diversity of those who were killed,” said Ammermann.

--By Jan Ramirez, Chief Curator & Vice President of Collections

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In the fall of 2001, New York University’s Child Study Center embarked on an ambitious project to study children's artwork triggered by 9/11. The artworks culminated in a book by Harry Abrams called  "The Day Our World Changed" and an exhibition that debuted at the Museum of the City of New York on the first anniversary of the attacks. The Museum recently acquired 56 of these art pieces, created by children between the ages of 5 and 18.

In times of emotional unrest, children often express themselves through art. Taped to firehouse and police station windows, tacked inside respite centers and ornamenting fences at the World Trade Center site, drawings and paintings created by this generation of youthful witnesses became a familiar sight throughout New York City in the aftermath of 9/11. Many children were starting their school day on September 11, 2001, experiencing the breaking news with their teachers and fellow classmates.  The shock was heightened by concern for the safety of children’s family members who worked in the World Trade Center or responded with the uniformed rescue services converging at the disaster scene. 

 We are grateful to the New York University Child Study Center for facilitating this important collection. Learn more >>

By 9/11 Memorial Staff