Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today visited the New York Remembers exhibition in Buffalo, where he was joined by family members and first responders at Buffalo State to commemorate the tenth anniversary of September 11th.
“This exhibit gives New Yorkers here in Buffalo and in Western New York an opportunity to gather to remember those who died on September 11th and embrace the spirit of unity that brought us together ten years ago,” Governor Cuomo said. “We will never forget those who lost their lives and the countless acts of heroism by our first responders. As we commemorate the ten year anniversary, these exhibits will allow us to reflect and mourn, while also educating a new generation about September 11th.”
On August 10, Governor Cuomo, the New York State Museum, and the National September 11 Memorial and Museum announced the “New York Remembers” exhibitions in 30 locations across the state. The exhibitions will give New Yorkers a place to remember the victims of September 11th and honor the countless heroes who came from all corners of the state to help in the clean-up and recovery efforts.
The exhibitions will feature historical artifacts from the collections of the State Museum and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
Leonard Castrianno, father of Lenny Castrianno Jr, who worked on the 105th floor of World Trade Center 1, said, “The 9/11 terrorist attacks affected communities all across the state, and Buffalo was not spared. On the 10th anniversary of September 11, it is crucial for New Yorkers to be able to gather together and honor those who perished at the World Trade Center, like my son Lenny, the Pentagon and on the planes. I thank Governor Cuomo for his efforts in creating special exhibits so our towns and cities can reflect on what blinding hatred can do, and remember that fateful day.”
Senator Mark Grisanti said, “Family and friends were directly affected by the terrorists attacks here in Buffalo and we will not forgot the lives that were lost or the brave first responders who came to our rescue. We will also not forget the men and women who serve overseas to protect our freedoms here in New York and across America. These New York Remembers exhibits are powerful reminders of those monstrous attacks and of our neighbors who fell because of them. I thank Governor Cuomo for his work to have these exhibits set up across the state, especially here in Buffalo, so that we may all visit, remember and mourn.”
Senator George Maziarz said, “The ten year anniversary of September 11 is a milestone that we remember with sadness and awe. The unprecedented attacks on our country changed us as individuals and as a nation. We all experienced this profound tragedy, we united in its aftermath, and now we are remembering together. The New York Remembers initiative, spearheaded by the Governor, will help all New Yorkers reflect on the past, and consider how we can move forward as a people.”
Assemblyman Robin Schimminger said, “Right after the horrific attacks of 9/11, New Yorkers joined together to help those in need and to be there for one another. Ten years later, we can again come together as communities through these memorials. We can share our stories, remember those who perished, and continue to heal. I commend Governor Cuomo for making it his priority to provide our community with this exhibit.”
Aaron Podolefsky, President of Buffalo State, said, “The artifacts on display as part of the ‘New York Remembers’ exhibit are vital pieces of American history and tributes to those who served and sacrificed. The Buffalo State community is honored to host this exhibit and to welcome Governor Cuomo once again to our campus. We hope our neighbors throughout Western New York will visit the exhibit to mark the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.”
Each location will remain open until the end of September. All will be open on Sunday, September 11th.
Many of the artifacts being exhibited have never been seen by the public, including: the trailer used by families visiting Ground Zero that includes photographs and messages; damaged emergency vehicles and other vehicle parts; aluminum and glass from the buildings; religious “symbol steel” created by the workers at the site; and airplane fragments including landing gear and engine parts. The stories behind all the artifacts will be told as part of the exhibitions.
With more than 2,000 artifacts, the New York State Museum is the nation’s largest repository of objects recovered from the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001. Within weeks of the attacks, State Museum staff documented the operations at the WTC site and later spent countless hours at the WTC Recovery Operation at Fresh Kills where all the material was inspected. In the ten months that followed the attacks, the FBI and NYPD recovered over 50,000 pieces of personal property.
The Museum also documented the Fresh Kills operation with hundreds of photographs, interviews, and films. The FBI and NYPD transferred all artifacts to the Museum after they were designated non-essential to the crime scene as neither criminal evidence nor personal property. Items include rescue artifacts, building pieces, everyday artifacts, and other objects from the site. No object collected from Fresh Kills by the State Museum was kept if it could be identified as owned by an individual. Vehicles like a FDNY truck were signed over to the State Museum by the FDNY via a deed of gift by the specific agency. Forty-nine pieces of the two airplanes that crashed into the towers were transferred to the State Museum by the FBI. These include fuselage, interior, and engine parts.
The State Museum also has a significant collection of sympathy material from the New York City area, New York State, and across the world.
