New Jersey students to receive free access to 9/11 Memorial & Museum through new education initiative
Helping Students in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut Understand the History and Lessons of 9/11 and Its Lasting Legacy
NEW YORK — A new partnership between the State of New Jersey, the Wilf Family Foundations, and the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will provide New Jersey students with free admission to the museum as part of a school-sanctioned event, expanding access to 9/11 education statewide.
The public-private initiative also includes support for free field trips for students in New York and Connecticut, with backing from additional partners such as the Gary Sinise Foundation, the New York City Council, the New York State Legislature, and the RBC Foundation USA.
The program will fund both in-person and virtual field trips, as well as self-guided school visits for students in grades 3–12 throughout the tri-state area. The initiative is designed to help teachers engage students with age-appropriate lessons about the historical significance of 9/11, including stories of those who were killed, the heroism of first responders, and themes of resilience, empathy, and civic responsibility.
Support from the Wilf Family Foundations will also fund the development of new companion resources to complement the experience of self-guided student groups. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is aiming to reach 20 million students by the 25th anniversary of the attacks in 2026.
“The September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks left a profound mark on New Jersey families, and the memory of that painful day remains as important as ever,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “For so many of us—whether we watched on television, from across the Hudson River, or the streets of lower Manhattan—we will never forget the events of 9/11. Now, there is a whole generation for whom 9/11 is just images on TV or in a history book. These field trips will ensure our students understand what happened on 9/11 and its connection to our communities, helping them to navigate the challenges of today’s world with knowledge and empathy.”
“The effects of 9/11 reached far beyond New York City, impacting families across New Jersey and the tri-state area,” said Zygi Wilf. “We are proud to support helping New Jersey students experience the Museum for free so that a new generation can understand the history and never forget the lessons of that day, helping to preserve the memory of those killed while fostering a deeper understanding of our shared past.”
“My life, along with so many New Jersey families, was forever changed on September 11, 2001, but our commitment to remembering that day and educating future generations remains unwavering,” said Virginia Bauer, 9/11 Memorial & Museum Founding Trustee. “By offering free field trips and school visits, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is ensuring that students hear the stories of everyone killed on 9/11 like my husband David and learn essential lessons about resilience, service, and the power of coming together in the face of adversity.”
“Learning about history can inspire service, compassion, and unity,” said Beth Hillman, president and CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. “It’s a privilege to offer students who can’t remember 9/11 themselves new ways to understand how the 9/11 attacks continue to reshape the world.”
For more information about these age-appropriate programs and to book a field trip, please visit the on-site, virtual, and self-guided field trip pages on our website. For general information about all of our other educational programs and offerings, please visit our website here.
