WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Smithsonian National Museum of American History in our nation’s capital has more than three million historical objects in their collections. Some of which are objects from the September 11, 2001 attacks. We got a chance to see some items that are not on display. Curators shared those items collected from the sites have multiple stories.
Curators at the museum took us into one of their storage rooms where they’ve laid out a few pieces they’ve collected from the three September 11th attack sites.
“When our curators were initially given the green light to go collect they faced a monumental problem, which is how soon after the attacks and what is the story,” said Cedric Yeh, curator of the National September 11th Exhibit at the National Museum of American History. “They focused on three specific things: they focused on the attacks themselves, the first responders and the rescue efforts and a little farther on the national response.”
They have collected hundreds of items, like a taillight from a New York fire truck.
“We have other pieces but this is enough to remind us the damage that was done on that day and of course the great sacrifice the FDNY faced,” said Yeh.
Including debris and letters to loved ones about their whereabouts.
“A simple piece of paper and a pencil was able to communicate a world of information for a husband and wife,” said Yeh.
Clothes, even beepers. Yeh said these objects have multiple stories.
“So in this particular case this is an evidence bag is how they processed materials found at the site, of course that’s important to us we wanted to show how its returned to the family before it was donated to us but it also shows technology back then,” said Yeh. “Beepers, that’s what this is the remnants of it, they still worked and entire offices were able to use them to find out if everyone got out.”
As the years pass by, curators have been collecting items that also share the story of how the nation and communities continue to be affected from the attacks 23 years ago.
“We’d like to be able to share that and talk about that,” said Yeh. “Collect and preserve how the nation has changed. We’re moving farther and farther away all of which to help future generations better understand what happened on that day collect and preserve how the nation has changed.”