Spontaneous Memorials, Museums, and Public History: Memorialization of September 11, 2001 at the Pentagon

This essay explores the spontaneous memorialization of the events of September 11, 2001 at the Pentagon. It examines the different ways in which public historians have played a role in the memorialization effort by collecting (or not collecting) memorial objects from the destruction site, curating exhibits with these objects, and creating memorial archives. It explores the current and future roles that museums may play in creating collective memories of September 11, 2001 as well as other historical events.