Brookfield Historical Society Selected

To Host Connecticut Historical Society’s

Traveling 9/11 Exhibit This Summer

BROOKFIELD CENTER — Anne Geurnsey and Elizabeth Lewis of The Connecticut Historical Society (CHS) recently met with Brookfield Historical Society board members including Stu Terrel, Gene Roberts and John Furlong to coordinate plans to bring the state historical society’s 9/11 mobile exhibit, “September 11, 2001: Connecticut Responds and Reflects,” to the Brookfield Museum later this year.

Brookfield will be the only venue in 2009 to exhibit the display.

Of the 2,973 people who were lost in the terrorist attacks of 9/11, 152 were Connecticut residents. CT Historical Society’s traveling exhibition looks at how the state’s citizens have responded and reflected on the tragedy through photographs, memory objects, audio/video stations where visitors can listen to oral histories, newscasts and musical compositions inspired by the events of 9/11; and Connecticut’s 9/11 Memorial Library, an archival collection by CHS with a binder filled with photographs, information and other materials pertaining to the life of each Connecticut victim.

The exhibit is divided into seven sections, including “Introduction,” “Memorializing,” which shows the various ways the victims have been memorialized; “Connecticut Responds,” which examines the ways state agencies and relief organizations responded to the needs of 9/11 victims and their families; “People Respond,” with some of the myriad ways artists, photographers, activists and others reacted to the catastrophic day; the audio/visual stations, with oral histories from those who lost family members and friends to relief workers, Sikorsky pilots, Suffield Fire Dept. mental health volunteers and others; “Media Responds,” with some of the extensive coverage provided by newscasters and journalists in Connecticut; and “Objects & Memories,” the cherished items that belonged to victims and some of the items that were given to those who lost friends and family to help them cope.

“Connecticut Responds and Reflects” debuted on the fifth anniversary of 9/11, when it was presented in Hartford in the CHS galleries. It was presented in Westport (2007) and Suffied (2008), and will continue to travel each fall until 2010. The exhibition was the recipient of The Connecticut League of History Organizations’s 2008 Award of Merit.

John Furlong, the Brookfield Museum and Historical Society’s President, said CHS’s  decision to select Brookfield to host the exhibition is a unique privilege to both the historical society and the community, “who are deeply honored to accept.”

“September 11, 2001: Connecticut Responds and Reflects” not only honors the memories of the 152 Connecticut victims lost on September 11, 2001, but also focuses on the state’s and Brookfield’s efforts to respond in the aftermath of the tragic event. The Brookfield presentation will open on August 22 and continue through October 25.

Museum hours will be Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm and Wednesday and Thursday from noon until 4 pm, and by appointment. The museum will also be open on Monday, September 11.

Growing Collections

The public is invited to participate in the presentation. Brookfield Historical Society is interested in displaying any objects in the possession of town residents related to the September 11, 2001 attacks. These could include, but are not limited to, memorial items, artifacts or photographs from friends or relatives who were victims of the tragedy.

Those interested in contributing to the Brookfield exhibit should call 740-8140.

Where were you on 9/11? State residents who would like to offer their story and be considered for an oral history interview for the CT Historical Society are encouraged to send an email to exhibits@CHS.org.

Additionally, the historical society continues to accept contributions for its collection and the exhibition, which changes slightly from year to year. Anyone with objects, ephemera, photographs, videos or films pertaining to 9/11 can also send an email to exhibits@CHS.org.