PEORIA, Ill. – With the 25th anniversary of the attacks of September 11th this month, the Peoria Riverfront Museum will soon open an exhibit to reflect and remember the tragic day.
“We Remember: Stories from the National September 11th Memorial and Museum” will open at the Riverfront Museum on Saturday, with the exhibition running through April 11th, 2027.
The exhibit curates objectives from the permanent collection of the National September 11th Memorial and Museum. Items that will be on display include gear from a firefighter rescued from the rubble of the Twin Towers, a piece of steel from “Ground Zero,” and first-hand accounts from survivors.
“These are not mere objections of iron, metal, cloth, and paper,” said Andrew Rand, who served as the Advisory Council Chair for the exhibit. “They’re remnants of a day that tested the very fabric of our nation.”
Peoria’s connection to September 11th is also highlighted in the exhibit, which includes stories from Peoria-based RLI Corporations, who maintained an office in the World Trade Center North Tower. It also features a tribute to Charles “Chip” Chan, the only victim of the attacks who was born in Peoria.
Museum President and CEO John Morris says the exhibit will help the around 40% of Americans not born yet or too young to remember the events of the day.
“We remember so we can help with that mission. We can remember so we can think critically in this semiquincentennial year of our free society,” Morris said. “This is the most important exhibition we’ve done.”
The exhibit begins before the museum takes part in a memorial service on September 11th on its plaza. The event starts at 10:00 A.M., with featured speakers including Chan’s parents and former Congressman and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.
Comments