State Museum marks 25 years since 9/11 with new exhibition
September 1, 2026
“South Carolina Remembers 9/11: 25 Years Later” explores the State’s response to tragedy and a 159-year-old promise to New York
As the nation prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001, the South Carolina State Museum presents South Carolina Remembers 9/11: 25 Years Later(opens in new tab), a new display that commemorates the tragic attacks and examines how South Carolinians responded in the days, months, and years that followed.
“Twenty-five years later, there is an entire generation of people who have grown up without a personal memory of 9/11,” said SCSM Curator of History Laura Cothran. “I hope this exhibition encourages conversations across generations about how the historic events of 9/11 brought us together as neighbors, as communities, and as a nation that will never forget.”
Now on view in the Museum’s Main Lobby, the display features personal stories, mementos, news footage, and artifacts that document how communities across South Carolina came together in the aftermath of the attacks. Guests can also learn about a remarkable promise between Columbia and New York that dates back more than 150 years.
In 1867, following the burning of Columbia during the Civil War, New York firefighters raised money to send a fire hose carriage to the devastated South Carolina capital. In response, Columbia made a promise to return the favor if New York ever faced a similar need. That promise was fulfilled following the Sept. 11 attacks.
In 2001, students and staff at White Knoll Middle School raised more than $500,000 to help replace Ladder 101, a Brooklyn fire truck that was destroyed on Sept. 11, 2001. In recognition of their efforts, the Red Hook Raiders gifted White Knoll Middle School a mangled piece of their original Ladder 101 truck door that was recovered from Ground Zero. Additionally, the students and staff that helped raise the funds were featured on the Today Show. Part of that footage, as well as the fire truck door, is on view in the exhibition.
The exhibition also explores South Carolina’s connection to the events of Sept. 11 through astronaut Frank Culbertson, a native of Holly Hill, S.C. Culbertson was the only American on board the International Space Station on the day of the attacks and photographed the smoke and debris rising from Lower Manhattan from space. That photo is included in the exhibition.
The Museum will host a special curator talk with SCSM Curator of History Laura Cothran on Sept. 11 from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. in the main lobby. The talk will highlight items in the exhibition and explore South Carolina’s role in remembering those lost on Sept. 11, 2001. Conte will be joined by Dr. Jeffrey Brodie, SCSM Chief Engagement and Content Officer, who was responsible for collecting memorabilia and artifacts in the aftermath of the attacks. More details will be announced soon.
South Carolina Remembers 9/11: 25 Years Later will be on view inside the Museum’s lobby until January 3rd, 2027. Access to the display is included with museum general admission. For more information, visit scmuseum.org(opens in new tab).
About the South Carolina State Museum
Since opening in 1988, the South Carolina State Museum has been committed to collecting, preserving and showcasing the rich culture, art, natural history, technology and innovation of the Palmetto State. Through a comprehensive collection of over 1.1 million objects and four floors of stimulating exhibitions and displays housed within the historic Columbia Mills Building, the State Museum provides educational environments that entertain, inspire and enrich the lives of millions of visitors and students from across South Carolina. For more information about the museum, visit scmuseum.org(opens in new tab).
