Ton, as I hope you know, I have benefited much from your list serve for years. However, up until now I have never submitted anything for consideration to put on the web. I want you to know how I feel about the many responses we have received over the past several days. The events of last Tuesday and the subsequent outpouring from so many wonderful people around the world has caused me to send you the following:
When the terrorists destroyed the World Trade Center and bombed the Pentagon last Tuesday, it changed the United States and in some ways the world for at least a long time. Since last Tuesday, lots of people in American cultural institutions have received many e-mails from people around the world - many of whom have come from MSN subscribers.
These messages have come from security people, curators, conservators, administrators, governmental people and just people we have gotten to know in our international travels. They have offered sympathy and support for the United States and especially for those of us who work in the cultural community. Since the Getty is located on the West Coast, we did not feel the direct impact of these horrific acts. However, there is no doubt that these events have deeply affected all Americans. Based on the number and content of the messages I have received and those I have heard about from colleagues all over the United States, this terrible moment in our history has had a significant impact on people through out the world.
My message today is to simply offer a heartfelt thank you to all of our friends and colleagues around the world for their warm messages of support. It has meant much to me and I am sure to all those who work the many other cultural institutions in the United States. More importantly, I know it has been especially meaningful to our colleagues in New York and Washington D.C.
Thank you all!
Wilbur Faulk Getty Conservation Institute
Date sent: Mon, 17 Sep 2001 14:07:46 -0400 From: "David Liston" LISTOND@ops.si.edu Subject:
New York City Museum Information
Dear Subscribers:
On Friday, 13 September 2001 the American Association of Museums opened on their website http://www.aam-us.org/ "NYC Disaster Response Information and Resources" as a red rectangle link at the top right. It links:
Status Information about Museums in the Affected Area: This is a list of museums and museum-related organizations in the affected area (the cordoned-off area below 14th street).
Contact Information for Museum Staff in the Affected Area: Staff members at affected institutions wishing to list contact information, please email helpnyc@aam-us.org.
Resources Offered by the Museum Community: Information for museums and individuals wishing to offer resources and/or services to affected institutions and museums requesting assistance.
Disaster Recovery Information and Resources: Links to disaster recovery-related Web sites.
Additional Information about the New York City Disaster and the Pentagon Incident.
Reports from Museums Not in the Affected Area.
Expressions of Support and Sympathy from Around the World.
This concerns disaster information and disaster recovery from the major American museum organization. Threat and vulnerability assessment, and response, including from terrorism on a massive or minor scale, deserves our regular reconsideration at every institution, especially now when directors and managers are concerned. Until now there have been few threats of cultural terrorism, including the painting taken in New York City "until peace exists in the Middle East." But, unfortunately, further steps are inevitable.
Those of you with other useful websites and organizations, please post your information at both MSN and at AAM. David Liston