Dozens of exhibits are rolling out to commemorate the tenth anniversary of September 11.

One of the simplest and most powerful will be at the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C. from September 3 through September 11, 2011.

Flight crew log from United Airlines Flight 93

During those nine days, the museum will display some of historical objects saved from September 11, 2001 on open tables, without cases.

Stairwell sign from the World Trade Center

As David K. Allison, Associate Director for Curatorial Affairs at the National Museum of American History wrote on the museum’s blog:

Our display will be a museum experience reduced to its essence: we will show artifacts that the Smithsonian has chosen to preserve in perpetuity to document this turning point in our history…
Some day in the future, the museum’s role will be to provide extensive commentary on these objects, to restore our memory of the events, and put them into broad historical context. …
But not yet. Not this year. Our goal on this tenth anniversary is to stimulate personal memories. These objects ask each viewer to look back at the shock and horror of that day, and answer the simple question: How has this historic event changed your life?

Photos courtesy: National Museum of American History

Can’t make it to Washington, D.C. to see this special exhibit? You can see the Smithsonian’s collection of 9/11 artifacts here.