Temporary Micro-Exhibit: The Greatest Maritime Evacuation-September 11, 2001

On September 11, 2001, nearly half a million people were evacuated from Lower Manhattan by water in just nine hours—the largest maritime rescue operation in American history. This special exhibit at the National Museum of the Great Lakes tells that remarkable story through the eyes of four different vessels: a Coast Guard cutter, a harbor tugboat, a passenger ferry, and a private boat. Using powerful photographs and firsthand accounts, you'll discover how professional mariners and everyday citizens worked together to save hundreds of thousands of lives. While the evacuation happened in New York Harbor, the exhibit connects this heroic moment to the maritime traditions shared across America's waterways, including the Great Lakes region. It's a meaningful way to explore courage and community service 25 years later. The exhibit runs through the end of October, so you have plenty of time to visit with your family and learn about an inspiring chapter in American history.