A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Installation of “K-9 Courage”

In January 2020, the 9/11 Memorial Museum opened K-9 Courage, an exhibition located in the Museum’s South Tower Gallery. K-9 Courage pays tribute to the working dogs that participated in the response to the 9/11 attacks.

Every exhibition at the Museum is researched, written, designed, and produced by a dedicated team. A lot of detail goes into making an exhibition, and the photographs below show some of the process of bringing K-9 Courage to life.

All of the photographs’ labels are laid out and placed in the order in which they will appear on the walls. Previously the labels were checked for their accuracy, and their condition is rechecked during installation. Each label includes one or two photographs’ captions and the photographers’ credit lines. Each photograph has a label to give credit to its creator and provide context to Museum visitors.

Members of the Exhibitions department spread out the photographs and labels on a table in preparation for their installation. The photographs were checked previously for any scratches or scuff marks, and now they are rechecked. In the background, the installation crew attach strips of maple wood bordering to the wall.

Before the photographs can be hung, the installation team designate their layout, including spacing. A piece of paper displaying the layout of the exhibition’s photographs is taped to the wall for the team to reference.

A member of the installation team attaches strips of maple wood bordering along one wall of the South Tower Gallery before photographs are hung. The walls were painted for this exhibition a few days before the installation.

Photographs are attached to the wall by mounts. Here, a member of the installation crew levels and affixes a mount to the wall. The framed photograph will then sit atop the mount, which keeps it straight and stable.

One of the exhibition’s opening photographs, installed with its label on the right-hand side. Some labels, such as this one, have short descriptions that elaborate on the image’s subject.

The installation crew mount a few more photographs along the wall, referencing a piece of paper displaying the layout of the exhibition.

The same wall with more photographs installed. These pictures await their labels.

With the maple wood bordering complete on this wall, the installation crew affixes the exhibition’s introductory panel next to an opening photograph. This introductory panel offers a description of the exhibition’s contents and provides context to Museum visitors.

An installation team member prepares to affix an orange-colored border to the opening photograph next to the introductory panel.

Having installed orange-colored borders on the large photograph, the installation team continue to mount more photographs to the wall.

The complete maple wood bordering, introductory panel, opening image with its label, and exhibition title at one of the gallery’s entrances. Each letter of the title K-9 Courage was mounted on the wall individually.

One completed view of the exhibition.

At the other end of the South Tower Gallery, installation team members start to place photographs and install mounts.

The installation crew prepare to install the exhibition’s title, K-9 Courage, at the second entrance. Before the letters can be mounted, they must be stenciled onto the wall to serve as a guide for the team. Then, each letter will be mounted individually.

A second wall of the exhibition is nearly finished. Each photo is displayed next to its label.

The second wall is complete. This entrance to the exhibition has an introductory panel identical to the other entrance’s.

The installation team measures, spaces, and attaches photographs and labels to the walls.

The installation crew mount photographs and labels to a third wall. Each photograph has a label, and sectional panels provide more information about the photographs’ contents. The orange-colored circles address frequently asked questions about some of the photographs. The transparent case attached to the wall will hold an artifact.

The installation team adjust the height of one of the exhibition’s largest photographs.

By Elizabeth Fischetti, Exhibition Coordinator, 9/11 Memorial & Museum