The National Tribute Quilt represents the response of the Steel Quilters of United States Steel Corporation to the events of September 11, 2001. This small quilt club conceived the monumental undertaking, ultimately receiving quilt blocks from all fifty states as well as Canada, Spain, Australia, and Denmark. The qu... Read more
The National Tribute Quilt represents the response of the Steel Quilters of United States Steel Corporation to the events of September 11, 2001. This small quilt club conceived the monumental undertaking, ultimately receiving quilt blocks from all fifty states as well as Canada, Spain, Australia, and Denmark. The quilt measures eight feet high by 30 feet wide, and is constructed of 3,466 blocks in six panels. The four central panels form a montage of the twin towers of the World Trade Center against the New York City skyline. These are flanked by panels dedicated to the lives extinguished on the four flights and at the Pentagon. Each three-inch-square block bears the name of one person who perished in the disaster.
A grid system allows each name to be located on the quilt. An accompanying book provides the grid location of each victim’s name, the name of the quilter, and the names of those individuals and companies who have been so generous in donating their time, effort, and materials. Although the Steel Quilters made every effort to use all blocks that were received, the lists of names were modified many times since the project was initiated on September 13, 2001. As a result, blocks were modified to match the list as it appeared on June 2002. The quilt was completed on July 4, 2002.
On continuous view at the museum’s branch location at 2 Lincoln Square (Columbus Avenue between 65th and 66th Streets). For more information, please call 212. 595. 9533.
