State Library Opens New Exhibit About 9/11

A message from the Connecticut State Library:

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the State of Connecticut was propelled to action. The initial response focused on securing Connecticut and its citizens and offering assistance to New York. In the days to follow, Governor John G. Rowland and Lt. Governor M. Jodi Rell spoke at interreligious services, candlelight vigils, and memorial services around the state offering emotional support to the community.

The September 11, 2001: Connecticut State Government Responds exhibit opened this month in Memorial Hall at the State Library’s Museum of Connecticut History, 231 Capitol Avenue in Hartford. You can also view it online at www.cslib.org.

The exhibit features original papers and documents from the State Archives documenting Connecticut’s response to the terrorist attacks. The State Archives has also created a digital collection presenting approximately 206 objects, which together document the response of Connecticut state government to the terrorist attacks both immediately and over time.

The collection includes correspondence, memorandums, speeches, photographs, programs from memorial services, and letters of condolence to the State of Connecticut from foreign governments. The bulk of the items are from the records of Governor John G. Rowland, Governor M. Jodi Rell, and the Office of Family Support. The State Archives has been collecting the papers of Connecticut Governor’s since 1630.

Former Governor Rowland will be at the State Library at noon on Thursday, September 15 recalling that terrible day and its aftermath. Former state legislator and member of the State Library Board, Allen Hoffman, will discuss with Mr. Rowland his thoughts when he first received word of the attacks, the actions he took and his remembrances of the days that followed.

The exhibit may be viewed Monday through Friday from 9am-4pm; and Saturday 9am-2pm through mid-October. All programs and exhibits are free and open to the public.

About the State Library: The Connecticut State Library is an Executive Branch agency of the State of Connecticut. The State Library provides a variety of information, library, archival, public records, museum, and administrative services to citizens of Connecticut, as well as the employees and officials of all three branches of State government. The Connecticut State Archives and the Museum of Connecticut History are components of the State Library.