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Utah County Commission hears plan for "Utah County Remembers 9/11" exhibit at Spanish Fork Fairgrounds
Summary
Representatives of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation told the Utah County Commission about a free, weeklong walk-through exhibit at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds featuring more than 1,000 images, video screens and an educational program that will bus students to the site; organizers seek volunteers and local sponsorships.
The Utah County Commission on June 4 heard a presentation from Johnny Ferry of the Major Brent Taylor Foundation about a planned, weeklong exhibit called "Utah County Remembers 9/11" to be held at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
The foundation plans to build the exhibit Monday and Tuesday, open it Wednesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and tear it down Saturday night, Ferry said. The walk-through exhibit will include more than 1,000 images, roughly 400 framed display panels, 24 video screens and a simulated subway tunnel to show the events of Sept. 11 and the response that followed. Organizers said the event is free to the public and intended as both an educational experience and a tribute to first responders and military service members.
"It's a community engagement event," Ferry said, describing the exhibit as "a pop-up tribute museum" that connects local history and community images to the national story of Sept. 11. Ferry told commissioners the foundation will bus in more than 10,000 students from grade-school through high school and that the exhibit will include an evening program for families and youth groups.
Ferry said the project relies on donations and volunteers. He told the commission the event expects more than 500 volunteers, is supported by local technical colleges for build-out, and is seeking local business and county sponsorships to cover materials. The presentation included a schedule of three preparatory public meetings and a QR code and the website majorbrenttaylor.com for sign-ups and information. Ferry invited commissioners and the public to three preparatory meetings beginning June 17 at noon at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
Video and audio excerpts shown during the presentation included remarks from students and first responders who took part in earlier county installations. One student, identified in the presentation as Mackenzie of Layton Elementary, said the exhibit helped her "learn about 9/11" and meet a firefighter who spoke about his experience. A speaker who said he had worked for New York City Transit described service at Ground Zero and linked his response work to later health effects; those remarks were played as part of the foundation's materials.
Commissioners praised the opportunity to host the exhibit in Utah County. One commissioner said they were "thrilled and excited" to have the installation at the fairgrounds and that it would help local students and families understand the events and their meaning.
Organizers asked the commission to let the community know about volunteer and sponsorship opportunities and provided the event website again at the close of the presentation. Ferry said all exhibit programming and volunteer roles are unpaid and that the foundation relies on donated labor and materials.
The commission took no formal vote on the presentation; Ferry's appearance was informational and organizers said they would move forward with outreach and logistical planning.
Information: majorbrenttaylor.com; preparatory meetings begin June 17 at noon at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds.
