The Stories They Tell: Artifacts from the National September 11 Memorial Museum

by Alice M. Greenwald (Editor), Michael R. Bloomberg (Foreword), Joe Daniels (Introduction)

This poignant selection of artifacts—and their stories—from September 11 provides an official, lasting record of that day’s experience. In both text and photography, the story of September 11 is told through a selection of powerfully moving artifacts from the 9/11 museum’s collection that serve as touchstones to the day and its aftermath. From crushed FDNY trucks to the steel that was pierced as planes struck the Twin Towers, from victims’ property pulled from the wreckage and returned to families (who later donated the property to the museum) to spontaneous memorials collected from around Ground Zero, the array of objects tell complex and often surprising stories. Poignant artifacts as monumental as the Vesey Street staircase—which offered an escape for thousands fleeing the towers—and as intimate as a loved one’s wedding band or last recorded phone message are selected to illuminate people’s experiences during and after September 11, 2001, and February 26, 1993. The mission of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum is to bear solemn witness to the terrorist attacks against the World Trade Center. The museum honors the nearly 3,000 victims of these attacks and all those who risked their lives to save others. It further recognizes the thousands who survived and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath.

Genres: Nonfiction, History

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 10, 2013

Reviews

[Bente · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went to the museum over three years ago and was finally able to read this book. It was a really moving book and sometimes hard to read. It's so important to know the stories behind some of the things you can see at the 9/11 museum and I am glad I was able to read it and pay my respects.

[Iowa City Public Library]

I believe most of us remember where we were on September 11, 2001, when four planes were turned into weapons and crashed into the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and the Pennsylvania countryside. I was already at work here at the Library when I became aware of a group of staff clustered around a television in our audiovisual services area. When we realized the magnitude of what was happening we opened our big meeting room to the public, showing the ongoing news coverage on the big screen there. In the Library’s annual report for that year, Director Susan Craig described what it was like: “It was incredible to sit in the darkened room and watch the news with strangers, some in small groups, most just individuals. When I was there no one actually spoke, but I felt a connection with everyone in the room.”

The Stories They Tell: Artifacts from the National September 11 Memorial Museum reconnects us to the events that day and the long recovery process that followed. The Museum is part of the September 11 memorial site where the Twin Towers once stood. The pictures in this book are simple but evocative. The essays which accompany them—more like letters to the reader—are written by staff members of the Museum.

Many of the artifacts in the Museum are from the crash sites; others include the transcripts from phone calls from people on the planes, missing-person posters that blanketed New York City, and the Memorial Urn, with the names of the 2,977 victims on it, created by ceramicist Tom Lane.

It is difficult to choose just one or two examples to tell you more about. Should it be the recording of flight attendant Betty Ong’s hijack report? Or Karyn’s flight attendant wings, or the Last Column at Ground Zero, or patrol dog Sirius’s leash, or the wreckage of Engine 21 of the Fire Department of New York?

Each story brought goose bumps or tears, and often both. The professionalism of the flight attendants on the planes and the emergency responders on the ground, the many expressions of compassion and generosity during the tragedy and in its aftermath are unforgettable reminders of the prevailing goodness in humanity.

If you are unable to visit the Museum in person, this book is the next best way to witness that.

--Heidi
123 South Linn

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been to the memorial and museum several times. The items and rooms that resonate the most are exactly these objects and the sound recording rooms. Short of visiting the memorial, this is an exemplary preview to what the museum holds. Prior to Covid, I organized field trips there. Now, in lieu of that, I'll be using this book to help bring the event to life. Excellent and heartbreaking.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book covering some of the artifacts in the National September 11 Memorial Museum. The book gives a short explanation of each item and why it was included. Definitely makes you want to visit the Memorial.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

9/11 is a day none of us will ever forget. And my love for NYC makes any memento or story that much more impactful. We visited the 9/11 site a few years ago, but didn’t go into the museum. Next time we’re there, it’s at the top of my list.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did the 9/11 Memorial and Museum 5k with my uncle on April 24 and with our race registration we got admission to the museum. Picked this up in the museum store on our way out. A beautifully done tribute book with stories about some of the museum's artifacts.

[barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

no words!!!!!!!so still heart wrenching after all these years

[Abbie L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I balled my eyes out when it got to the people and their stories.

[Kris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makes me want even more to go to the actual Museum and Memorial to see these things and others. Read the stories. This was a great teaser.

[Kenny Orth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I had read this book before my family and I toured the memorial to 9/11. The book makes the artifacts even more meaningful than when I first viewed them.

[Kati Polodna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never forget.

[Kaela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Artifacts are the most important link to history and the past. A book linked to the set up and creation of the 9-11 museum, this book explains in some detail a few artifacts of personal human casualties as well as the structural artifacts of the building that meant so much to so many people.

I remember this day like it was yesterday. Rereading these true acts of bravery and heroism were phenomenal.

I thought the research of the building pieces, foundations, and research of wreckage was fascinatingly haunting. The pictures were well done.

[Brooke Oxendine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very insightful look at all the artifacts that are housed in the 9/11 museum. I cannot wait until I go to take a class there next month so that I can see all of these items in person. I think that this book offers a close-up and in-depth look at a lot of items from that day that regular citizens like myself were unaware even existed. These are very touching stories behind each of these items housed in the museum.