TRENTON — Nearly 10 years ago, Anthony Gardner lost his brother Harvey, a World Trade Center commuter, to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. "He packed his gym bag and set off for the day, a regular routine day," Gardner said. "Literally hours later, he found himself struggling to survive." As the 10th anniversary of the day approaches, Gardner,...
Lt. Governor Kim GuadagnoTRENTON — Nearly 10 years ago, Anthony Gardner lost his brother Harvey, a World Trade Center commuter, to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11.
"He packed his gym bag and set off for the day, a regular routine day," Gardner said. "Literally hours later, he found himself struggling to survive."
As the 10th anniversary of the day approaches, Gardner, the director of the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton, wants to tell the story of 9/11 from a New Jersey perspective.
Gardner and Acting Governor Kim Guadagno on Thursday announced a year-long Sept. 11 exhibit at the State Museum will open in September, designed to give New Jersey residents a place to go to remember those lost in the attacks, as well as educate students.
"We’re remembering 9/11 through the New Jersey voice and perspective," Gardner said. "These are the stories we have to pass on from generation to generation."
The exhibit will include pieces of steel from the towers, bits of personal memorabilia belonging to New Jersey residents who died in the attacks, a slide show of New Jersey memorials, and a place for visitors to leave their own personal memories.
"This is supposed to be uplifting, this is supposed to be an example of everything that’s good about a community coming together to honor a memory and remember our past," Guadagno said.
It will also serve as an educational tool for students, some of whom weren’t even alive on Sept 11, 2001. The museum will provide a professional workshop for teachers and hold several educational events.
The exhibit will open at a fundraiser on Sept. 7 at the museum, including a keynote address from Gov. Chris Christie. The exhibit is in part underwritten by PNC Bank and New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company, as well as other corporate sponsors.
Previous coverage:
• Lt. Gov. Guadagno announces Sept. 11 exhibit at N.J. State Museum