Ottawa Center hosts traveling 9/11 exhibit

An exhibit amplifying the compassion and national unity that flared after the events of 9/11 will be on display in July at Illinois Valley Community College’s Ottawa Center.

The We the People Traveling Exhibit reflects the surge in patriotism, hope and compassion that emerged in the nation following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. At its center are two beam pieces from the north tower of the World Trade Center. More than 3,000 people at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and aboard the planes that crashed into both buildings and a Pennsylvania field were killed that day.

The exhibit encourages children to think and communicate about helping their communities through a Talk Back Star Station which poses questions and encourages children to reflect on their ideas of unity, friendship, helping and patriotism.

The Ottawa Center is partnering with the sponsor, Ottawa Visitors Center, to host the exhibit. It will be displayed from July 1-31. The public can view it for free Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The exhibit will be escorted to Ottawa from Morris by the Illinois State Patriot Guard and area first responders on Monday, July 1, at 10 a.m. The caravan will travel down Illinois Route 6 through Seneca and Marseilles. A grand opening on Saturday, July 6, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will feature refreshments and a children’s scavenger hunt hosted by the Ottawa Visitors Center.

The traveling exhibit is made available to communities by the Children’s Museum of Oak Lawn, which created it after acquiring two beam pieces from a nearby city memorial project honoring first responders.

For more information on the exhibit, please go to VisitOttawaIL.com.