Welcome
From Across the River
The story of September 11th from the New Jersey perspective.
September 11, 2001 One Hour After the Collapse
What is The Jersey Side Project Photography
On September 11, 2001, as most of the nation watched broadcasts of the World Trade Center attacks and held its breath in shock, Ms. Swieder roved the Hudson River waterfront and captured the heroic rescue and recovery efforts of medical professionals, firemen, police, volunteers and an ever-changing skyline. After the familiar sight of the Twin Towers collapsed from the New York City skyline, she continued to document the experiences of survivors, witnesses and emergency responders on the Jersey side.
Swieder was featured in the NJN/PBS television program, New Jersey State of the Arts, a part of the History of the World Trade Center exhibition at the Jersey City Public Library. At the International Center of Photography, New York, Swieder participated as a photographer and volunteer in the Here is New York world-traveling exhibit, which includes a video booth interview of her. She also appears in the German television network documentary, Here is New York, which aired in Berlin, Dresden and Dusseldorf. The Jersey Side exhibit has been on display at Art House Productions, Hudson County Court House, The Hoboken Business Center, the Elizabeth Public Library, the Weehawken Public Library, and St Peter and Paul Church in Hoboken. More information about Ms. Swieder and her work you can email her at sandraswieder@gmail.com
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ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
As a photographer and a resident of Jersey City, Sandra Swieder was able to document the events from the collapse of the second tower, to the waterfront rescue and recovery efforts, to the memorials. She established relationships with emergency personnel and collected their stories. These stories are The Jersey Side, From Across the River.
Photography as Communication
A Jersey City waterfront triage started on that Tuesday morning of September 11th grew into a five-block radius of emergency personnel, volunteers, supplies and family members. The staging area at Exchange Place became the lifeline to ground zero. As a photographer and a resident of Jersey City, Sandra Swieder was able to document the events from the collapse of the second tower, to the waterfront rescue and recovery efforts, to the memorials. She established relationships with emergency personnel and collected their stories.
Never Forget
It is extremely important to preserve the history of events that transpired on the Jersey side. This project will illustrate what took place along the Hudson River and how New Jersey responded to the immediate needs of lower Manhattan that Tuesday morning and in the days, weeks and months following. On that day, New Jersey showed itself to be more than a sister state, earning it the honor of being called “the silent sixth borough.”
Photo Gallery
