Commemorating the September 11th attacks that were conducted against the United States in 2001, the Erie 9-11 Memorial mixes a literal piece of history with the people and stories that would come to define the event. Located at the Erie Maritime Museum right next to the next to the Erie County Public Library in Erie, Pennsylvania, the monument provides audiences with a sense of connection to the event to ensure it will never be forgotten.
Built Around the 9-11 Memorial Column
Dedicated on the 13th Anniversary of the attacks in 2014, the Erie 9/11 Memorial was designed to show audiences what happened on that day with a timeline, stories and quotes that are spread out across the site in various ways. All of these elements are built around a steel column that was recovered from the wreckage of the Twin Towers at Ground Zero in New York City. This piece of history bears the marks and scars from that day.
The Memorial Timeline lists out in detail how the attacks commenced on the morning of September 11th. The Memorial to Heroism specifically mentions some of the people who made incredible sacrifices to save others during the event. Another marker displays the names of the victims portrayed on a US flag background. A stone memorial features numerous icons that are connected to the event.
Located within walking distance of other Erie landmarks, the Erie 9-11 Memorial has been able to connect with audiences by providing them with multiple ways to interpret and experience the event. Doing so has made it an important element of the community that serves as an additional draw for the Maritime Museum and the Erie County Public Library. The impact it has enabled for the location and the community as a whole will only become that much more profound in the future.
Resonating Across the Community
Whether through the displays, icons or actual history it contains, the Erie 9-11 Memorial has become an important way for audiences to connect with the event on a personal level. It has been embraced by the community in ways that can be seen all across the city, ensuring the engagement from both residents and visitors that it has cultivated will continue to grow.
