A new traveling exhibit opening July 3 at the Aurora History Museum will document the tragic events of the day of the World Trade Center's collapse. Admission is free.

"September 11, 2001: The First 24 Hours," assembled by the New York State Museum especially for the Aurora History Museum, includes a recovered American flag, several World Trade Center souvenirs, building keys, signs, sections of the World Trade Center façade, a firefighter's Scott oxygen tank, a fragment of one of the airplanes, and a timeline of events on Sept. 11.

Artifacts were recovered from the wreckage of the World Trade Center at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island between Sept. 12, 2001, and June 28, 2002.

"This exhibit serves as a 'document' of the events that transpired on Sept. 11, 2001," said Matt Chasansky, curator of exhibits for the Aurora History Museum. "The artifacts and timeline are a way to observe our recent past within the context of our world today. In this way, the visitor to this exhibit can examine our recent history. The museum is proud to host an exhibit that witnesses history as it unfolds."

A Fourth of July Exhibit Reception will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. July 4 on the lawn adjacent to the Aurora History Museum, featuring the Rocky Mountain Ringers performing music composed especially for the exhibit. The reception will happen prior to the City of Aurora's Fourth of July Spectacular event, and visitors are invited to tour the exhibit during the reception.

The exhibit, which closes Sept. 30, is sponsored by the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District. Rural/Metro Ambulance, 9News and the Aurora Museum Foundation.

The Aurora History Museum at 15051 E. Alameda Parkway is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. For more information, call 303-739-6666 or visit www.auroramuseum.org.