Marking the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, the 9/11 Tribute Museum Announces The ‘Stories in Tribute’ Campaign

Marking the 20th Anniversary of 9/11, the 9/11 Tribute Museum Announces The ‘Stories in Tribute’ Campaign

New York, NY – August 26, 2021 – As part of its ongoing effort to preserve the memories of 9/11 for future generations, the 9/11 Tribute Museum announced the launch of a $10 Million campaign, ‘Stories in Tribute,’ that will fund educational programming and the resolution of debt from the construction of the museum.

On the 20th anniversary, it is pivotal to secure our future with this fundraising to support the archives, educational programming, and establish a central place to never forget the history of 9/11, a pledge America first made on September 12, 2001. The Tribute Museum provides unique educational experience with first-person testimonials and reminds people of the positive differences our local and global communities can make when we all stand together.

This summer, the 9/11 Tribute Museum welcomed its 5 millionth visitor since opening its doors in 2006. It has now also hosted more than 500,000 members of the 9/11 community, who have shared their stories of resilience and hope with others.

“The ‘Stories in Tribute’ campaign will support the 9/11 Tribute Museum in its mission to preserve the victims’ authentic voices and to help the public understand what happened on that horrific day, how the world has changed, and the tremendous spirit of resilience and service that emerged after the attacks,” said Lee Lelpi, Co-Founder of the 9/11 Tribute Museum and President of the Board of Directors for the September 11th Families’ Association. “To all of the police officers, firefighters, and volunteers who bravely came to our aid that day: this is our small way of keeping the memory of your heroism alive.”

“When people think of artifacts, they think of steel, which symbolizes strength and endurance. At the 9/11 Tribute Museum, the stories of our volunteers are our most profound and poignant artifacts,” said Joan Mastropaolo, Community Resident and Board Director of the 9/11 Tribute Museum. “The ‘Stories in Tribute’ campaign will allow us to continue to carry this history forward.”

“Congratulations to the 9/11 Tribute Museum on reaching the impressive milestone of welcoming its 5 millionth visitor! As we approach the 20th anniversary, I thank everyone at the Museum for your remarkable efforts to put the events of 9/11 in context through pictures, videos, history, and artifacts – and especially through inspiring stories of resilience shared by survivors and family members who lost loved ones, those who lived and worked in Lower Manhattan in 2001, rescue and recovery workers, and first responders,” said New York State Senator Brian Kavanagh. “Once again, this year, the Tribute Museum is playing a central role in commemorating the lives lost on this day and ensuring that their memories live on.”

“Honoring the stories and experiences of those most closely impacted by 9/11 is an essential part of healing, rebuilding, and advocating for New Yorkers who lost their loved ones, their lives, and their health on that tragic day,” said New York State Senator Kristen Gillibrand. “Twenty years later, we are still making sense of all the ways 9/11 altered the fabric of who we are as a nation. I am thankful to the 9/11 Tribute Museum for creating an important space to educate and inspire all of us to continue advocating for a world in which the 9/11 community can receive the care and justice they deserve.”

“Twenty years after 9/11, I continue to remember the 2,977—some of them my friends—who were tragically murdered that day by terrorists, in addition to the countless first responders, local residents, and others who have battled 9/11- related cancers, injuries and trauma since,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.

Senator Schumer continues, “For fifteen years, the 9/11 Tribute Museum has supported those affected by 9/11 and the 9/11 community has bravely shared their stories with visitors and students from around the world. We owe a great debt to those who died, whose stories are honored at the museum, and to those who share their stories with countless visitors. On the anniversary of the attacks, I am reminded of the profound sense of common purpose, unity, and selflessness that this tragedy spurred in New York and across our whole nation. In honor of those lost that day and those affected by the tragedy, we never stopped searching or finding ways to learn from our mistakes and we never stopped moving forward to rebuild our city and nation so that it is stronger, wiser, more compassionate, and better, and the 9/11 Tribute Museum has an important part in that.”

“Twenty years ago, as New Yorkers and people across the country mourned those lost on 9/11, we pledged never to forget those taken from us too soon,” Assemblymember Yuh-Line Niou said. “The 9/11 Tribute Museum has carried out that mission with dignity and respect for the families forever changed by that terrible attack. The museum’s first-person testimonials are an invaluable resource for preserving and sharing the stories of those who lived through one of our nation’s darkest days, and for those in lower Manhattan who can never forget because they remain directly affected by this tragedy.”

It remains more critical than ever to support the 9/11 Tribute Museum:

• COVID- 19 has had a devasting effect on the 9/11 community, many of which are elderly or have compromised health from exposure on 9/11. As the community ages and suffers from 9/11-related illnesses, it is increasingly important to preserve these stories.
• The museum’s operations were forced to close for several months due to the pandemic. Additionally, travel and tourism are down significantly, resulting in much lower visitation and revenues to support the programs and museum.
• The lack of a standard educational curriculum in our school system has left our younger generations with little to no understanding of what happened on 9/11. Educational tools with the first-person perspectives enable teachers to bring these essential lessons into the classroom.

To learn more and contribute to our nation’s history by building a lasting place for remembrance, reflection, and learning for years to come, visit 911tributemuseum.org.