Includes Fragments From Hijacked Aircraft

In its only California presentation, the acclaimed exhibition "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" opens at the Japanese American National Museum, a Smithsonian affiliate, on July 1, 2004. Originally organized by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, the traveling exhibition evokes the memories and experiences of September 11 through images, 45 carefully selected objects, and poignant stories from the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and Shanksville (PA).

The interactive, commemorative exhibition encourages visitors not only to reflect on the specific events of that horrific day, but also to contemplate the significance of experiencing a historic event as it unfolds. The traveling version of "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" closely follows the original exhibition by bringing together objects, images and personal stories that help recall this historic day and its impact on our nation. The exhibition presents approximately 45 objects representing three sites, as well as the nationwide response and recovery efforts.

Among the objects on view representing the impact in New York are a piece of twisted steel from the South Tower, airplane fragments, and a door from a crushed fire truck. Objects from the Pentagon include a piece of the building's limestone facade, damaged and charred; a soot stained panel from a rescue and firefighting vehicle parked near the point of impact; and items recovered from the damaged offices. On loan from Somerset County (PA) are objects left at a temporary memorial in honor of the victims of Flight 93.

In a section called "My Witness" visitors encounter four touch-screen multimedia stations each with five different personal stories. They include accounts of eyewitnesses, survivors, rescue workers and victims' family members, as well as stories from people across the nation. The final section of the exhibition invites the public to reflect on the September 11 tragedies and share their own experiences. Two questions are posed: "How did you witness history on September 11?" and "Has your life changed since September 11?" The responses will be collected and archived by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" is organized by the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History, Behring Center, and is circulated by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES).

FMI: http://www.janm.org