During the month of September 2002, the American museum community will come together to Celebrate America's Freedoms. This initiative underscores the museums' roles as stewards of the nation's stories and special places where communities can reaffirm and examine our:

freedom to assemble

freedom to create

freedom to worship

freedom to inquire

freedom to express ideas

freedom from fear

Observing September 11: A Toolkit
In the days and weeks following Sept. 11, 2001, museums were given a critical opportunity to serve their communities, and they rose to the challenge immediately. From New York to California, museums provided an emotional refuge, connected diverse groups of people, collected donations for disaster relief, and provided visitors with helpful resources. Across the country, the public could see and experience museums as centers of community life.

In recent months, many museums have expressed a desire to unite with their communities once again, this time in remembrance of Sept. 11. AAM and IMLS have responded by encouraging museums to mark the day in a way that best suits their missions and resources and the needs of their communities.

To help museums and communities observe Sept. 11 in a meaningful and collaborative way, the two organizations have created a Day of Remembrance toolkit. Designed as a resource guide, the toolkit offers suggestions for enhancing the museum-community relationship. AAM and IMLS recognize that each community and its museums will remember Sept. 11 in a way that reflects the unique needs of the people they serve.

What Can You Do?
What Can Your Museum Do?
What Are Other Museums Doing?