The New York State Museum has announced a new photography exhibition, a new display of rarely seen artifacts, and a series of public programs to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
Opening September 5, 2026, “Witness to 9/11” is a new photography exhibition that explores the immediate response and aftermath of the attacks, told primarily through the work of two New York Daily News photographers, Todd Maisel and David Handschuh.
Both were among the journalists who responded to Lower Manhattan that morning, unaware of what would unfold. In addition to documenting the attacks, Maisel assisted when Handschuh was seriously injured in the collapse of the South Tower.
Together, their photographs capture both the devastation of the attacks and the extraordinary human response that followed.
Photographs taken by Maisel and Handschuh at Ground Zero are displayed alongside artifacts, including Maisel’s Nikon camera, a damaged cast-iron lamppost that had formed the western boundary of the World Trade Center complex, and a fragment of fuselage from a Boeing 767 that was recovered by staff at the Intrepid Air and Space Museum. The exhibition will be on view through May 2, 2027.
“Witness to 9/11” serves as a complement to the Museum’s long-term installation, “World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response.” The existing gallery, which opened on September 5, 2002, will be updated to include a windbreaker worn by forensic specialist Brian Gestring when he responded to the site.
Gestring, a member of the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, was in front of the Marriott Hotel when the South Tower began to collapse and was evacuated by boat to New Jersey. The jacket was recovered separately, having been misplaced following the collapse.
In addition to the exhibitions, the Office of Cultural Education has scheduled a series of public programs throughout September.
Witness to 9/11: An Evening with Photojournalists Todd Maisel and David Handschuh
Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Huxley Theater
Todd Maisel and David Handschuh will reflect on their experiences and the personal impact of documenting one of the defining events in American history. The evening will conclude with a discussion led by the Museum’s Senior Historian of Military and Political History, Aaron Noble, followed by an audience Q&A. Using selected images from the Witness to 9/11 exhibition as a starting point, the conversation will explore the enduring role of photojournalism in preserving history and shaping public memory.
The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response Gallery Tour
Date: Friday, September 11
Time: 1:00 p.m.
Location: World Trade Center Gallery
This gallery tour explores the history of the World Trade Center, the events of September 11, 2001, the extraordinary rescue and recovery efforts that followed, and the ways New Yorkers and people across the nation responded to the tragedy. The tour provides an opportunity to engage with this important chapter in history and reflect on the courage, resilience, and lasting impact of the events of September 11, 2001.
Sadako’s Crane: An Origami Activity of Remembrance
Date: Saturday, September 12
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: World Trade Center Gallery
Folded by 12-year-old Sadako Sasaki, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing, this small paper crane created from a medicine wrapper has become a lasting reminder of hope, resilience, and the wish for peace.
Visitors are invited to learn about Sadako’s story and create their own origami crane as a meaningful tribute. This family-friendly activity offers an opportunity for reflection, creativity, and connection through the tradition of paper crane folding.
The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response Gallery Tour
Date: Sunday, September 13
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: World Trade Center Gallery
This gallery tour explores the history of the World Trade Center, the events of September 11, 2001, the extraordinary rescue and recovery efforts that followed, and the ways New Yorkers and people across the nation responded to the tragedy. The tour provides an opportunity to engage with this important chapter in history and reflect on the courage, resilience, and lasting impact of the events of September 11, 2001.
Special Documentary Screening – 9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero
Date: Sunday, September 13
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Huxley Theater
Join the New York State Museum for a special screening of 9/11: Reclaiming Ground Zero, a documentary exploring the complex and deeply personal decisions that shaped the future of the World Trade Center site after the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This film examines the debate over rebuilding, as the families of victims, community members, city leaders, and others wrestled with how to honor those lost while imagining the future of Lower Manhattan.
Canine Courage: The Search and Rescue Dogs of September 11
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Location: World Trade Center Gallery
Join museum educator Kate Ting for a family-friendly program exploring the incredible work of the search and rescue dogs who assisted during the aftermath of September 11, 2001. Learn how specially trained canine teams supported rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site and discover how these remarkable dogs used their skills to help people during one of the most challenging moments in American history.
Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest publicly-owned museum in the United States. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 am to 5 pm. It is closed on all state observed holidays, including the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the New York State Museum website.
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