The Tribute in Light illuminates the sky over the Brooklyn Bridge and lower Manhattan Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 in New York. The beams of light honor those who lost their lives seven years ago in the attacks on the United States. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan)
The Huntsville Museum of Art will present a moving exhibition to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. 9/11 and Beyond: Photographs from The Associated Press features 50 photographs, hand-selected from the archives of The Associated Press, that look back at the World Trade Center’s construction, destruction and slow reemergence.
The north tower of New York’s World Trade Center rises at left with the south tower under construction at right in lower Manhattan, in 1970. (AP Photo)
The iconic twin towers of New York City’s World Trade Center were a triumph of human imagination and will. They were the hub of the bustling Financial District, a top tourist attraction, and a symbol of America’s devotion to progress and the future. At the time of their completion, the twin towers were the tallest buildings in the world. The complex sustained its first major attack on February 26, 1993, when a large bomb planted by terrorists exploded in the underground garage of Two World Trade Center, killing six people and injuring hundreds. The attack that occurred on September 11, 2001, was much more destructive, killing 2,606 people in and within the vicinity of the towers, as well as all 157 on board the two aircraft. Workers spent nearly a year removing debris and recovering bodies from the ruins at the complex site, and an intense national discussion ensued on how best to rebuild it. Two design competitions were launched to replace the fallen towers and create a memorial to the victims of both terrorist attacks. A winning building design was announced in 2003, and One World Trade Center opened in November of 2014. The winning design for the memorial was announced in 2004 and opened on September 12, 2011.
9/11 and Beyond: Photographs from The Associated Press opens at the Huntsville Museum of Art on September 11, 2021 and closes on November 28, 2021. The exclusive exhibition will be on display in the Grisham gallery of the Museum and will be included with the general price of admission. Admission can be purchased at the front desk in the lobby of the Museum or online here. The exhibition is made possible by presenting sponsor PNC Bank and lead sponsors Boeing and IronMountain Solutions.
Following the opening of 9/11 and Beyond, there will be a lecture and reception on Thursday, September 16 at 6 p.m. Todd F. Smith, Deputy Associate Chief Counsel, New York for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, will lead the reception with a lecture about his personal experience during the tragic event. Smith, who worked at the World Trade Center on that day, received letters of commendation in recognition of his actions to ensure that a disabled employee was safely evacuated from the building. Guests will get an exclusive walk through the galleries to view the compelling photographs. A selection of fine wines and delicious canapés, catered by Chef Narvell, will be available. Music will be provided by members of the Huntsville Symphony Orchestra. Tickets are $50 for Museum Members and $75 for Non-Members. They can be purchased on the museum’s website here.