Historic 9/11 Newspaper exhibit displayed on Bend Street

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A unique 9/11 memorial is currently on display for the public in Bend.

The exhibit is located at the intersection of Nashville Avenue and Harmon Boulevard. It consists of regional and local newspaper issues from September 11 and the days immediately following. The preserved clippings capture the intense emotions and uncertainty felt in the aftermath of the attacks. Catherine Cummings, a retired local social studies educator, created the exhibit alongside her students in 2001.

In the first week following the tragedy, students were bringing in newspaper clippings, which eventually came together to become an exhibit. “We got some help from a teacher aide who put it all together and laminated it,” Cummings said. “And while I was teaching every year on 9/11, we would put it out in our commons and students would gather around and talk about it and, share their memories of it.”

The clippings served as an educational tool throughout Cummings 30 year career, coming out every September 11th. Now it's on display for the public, who are invited to view and react to the display.

Coincidentally, while KTVZ was recording at the site, a former student of Cummings visited the memorial alongside her children. Now a parent herself, the former student and the group used the occasion to allow the children to ask questions about Sept. 11.

Cummings plans to display the newspaper collection once more the following day so additional visitors may view the exhibit.