A Moving Tribute to Those on Flight 93

Shortly after the events of September 11, 2001, the fifth through eighth grades students at the Spring Valley School in Farmington decided they wanted to pay homage to those who had lost their lives in the crashing of Flight 93 in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. The students turned an old bar into a memorial and handcrafted benches to honor each passenger who was on the plane. The barn is now a museum dedicated to peace featuring artwork and memorials of those who have been the victims of war and terror.

Visiting the barn is a somber event, but it is a good side trip if you are in the Farmington area or visiting Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water attraction nearby. Reflecting on the events that changed the country is a moving experience, and it is advisable that you speak with children before and after about their experience at the barn. The Peace Barn features the commemorative materials for those involved with Flight 93 but there are also images that encourage people to consider a world without war. Natural disaster information is also part of the display. The exhibits highlight artwork from members of the community, and the Spring Valley commune. There are also materials depicting the stories of the victims of the Tsunami disaster in Thailand and Hurricane Katrina in Mississippi.

When visiting the barn you will more than likely interact with a few members of the group. Students are sometimes available to give guided tours of the barn, and may be one of the students who helped conceptualize and create the memorial. There are approximately 300 people who live on the commune and they are happy to share information about their lifestyle and experiences.

The Bruderhof communities exist in Florida, New York, and Pennsylvania. They are a group of Christians and their name is German for place of brothers. They have recently changed their name to Church Communities International. The group began in 1920 in Germany and their community in Pennsylvania was founded in 1957. Bruderhof individuals do not own private property but exist in commune style living. Their children are not automatically members, and those born into Bruderhof families are encouraged to explore their religious and spiritual beliefs before committing to the faith. The main income for the community comes from their creation and sale of Community Playthings, a line of classroom furniture handcrafted and sold by the members. They participate in a number of outreach programs including prison visits with the incarcerated.

The surrounding area of Farmington offers visitors a number of activities they can enjoy before or after their visit to the memorial. Keep in mind you may be spiritually burdened after a visit to the barn, so it is advisable you and your loved ones eat a leisurely meal in town, discuss what you learned, and take it easy for a few hours following your trip. There are several hotels and overnight accommodations if you decide to stay in town. This is a peaceful trip and those who have a curiosity about the Bruderhof people or the events in Shanksville on September 11th are encouraged to visit.