Forever Marked By The Day: A Quarter Century of Mourning and Renewal

June 26, 2026 — January 3, 2027
Muscarelle Museum of Art

As time moves us further from September 11, 2001, the responsibility to remember, and to understand, grows ever more important. For many, that day remains vivid: the blue morning sky, the shock, the disbelief and the profound loss. For younger generations, however, the events live only in stories, classrooms and memorials. Forever Marked By The Day: A Quarter Century of Mourning and Renewal commemorates the 25th anniversary of that pivotal day and invites visitors of all ages to reflect on its meaning to our nation and its enduring impact on our culture, our cities and our collective memory.

The exhibition unfolds across four galleries, exploring the history of the World Trade Center through an architectural perspective. It begins with Minoru Yamasaki’s Twin Towers, once emblematic of New York’s energy and ambition, and thoughtfully acknowledges the profound loss and impact of the events of 2001. From there, it considers the site’s careful and intentional rebuilding. Visitors follow the site’s transformation through Daniel Libeskind’s visionary plan, Michael Arad’s moving Reflecting Absence memorial, David Childs’ towering One World Trade Center, Santiago Calatrava’s Oculus, the St. Nicholas National Shrine and the Perelman Performing Arts Center designed by architecture firm REX. Together, these works create a place that honors the past while embracing hope, resilience and renewal.