Sep 8, 2006 2 min read

In remembrance of the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center in Pittsburgh is honoring the critical role that western Pennsylvanians, including a Fayette County native, played in the support efforts. About 20 artifacts from the history center’s 2004 exhibit, “Sept. 11 – Bearing Witness to History,” as well as an item on loan directly from the Smithsonian Institution, are on permanent display on the museum’s second floor, including:

– Footage from WABC-TV in New York featuring Uniontown native Nina Pineda, who provided one of the first live reports from Ground Zero. Included near the video are the red suit and shoes Pineda wore on Sept. 11.

– Part of the Flight 93 fuselage, recovered near Shanksville, Pa. (on loan from the Smithsonian).

– Helmets from Eureka Fire Rescue in Tarentum, Pa.. The Eureka crew was one of many local first-responder units that departed for New York City on the evening of Sept. 11 to assist with disaster and recovery efforts.

– The Rev. Joseph McCaffrey’s FBI jacket, ID badge, rosary beads and portable Mass kit. McCaffrey consoled family members and rescue workers in Shanksville, Pa., in the days following the Flight 93 crash.

– Computer bag and dress shoes from Judy Colfer, a Pittsburgh native and Mine Safety Appliances employee who escaped Tower One of the World Trade Center moments before its collapse.

In addition to the above items, the history center continues to collect materials from 9/11. Through the collection of items, the museum hopes to honor and pay tribute to the western Pennsylvanians who were shaped by the events of Sept. 11.

The Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center is located at 1212 Smallman St. in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. More information is available at www.pghhistory.org

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