The Archive | October 27 Archive

The Collection

The October 27 Archive currently contains 1579 objects and is regularly being expanded with more material. The archive includes flyers and programs from community gatherings held since the October 27 attack, a comprehensive collection of news coverage about the day of the event, oral history recordings reflecting a diverse array of experiences, and historical documentation about the Jewish experience in Western Pennsylvania.

Using this archive

You can view all the materials currently included in the archive using the browser below. Each object has been described and cataloged to help you discover materials, learn about these materials, understand the context in which these materials were created, and draw connections between different materials. You can refine the browsing experience using various filters, including creator, type, and subject. Some of these filters have already been used to create preset galleries, each organized around specific aspects of the archive. You can also look for specific words and phrase found in the archive using a keyword search.

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Photograph showing selection of archival materials

Showing 33 results for
Multiplex
Wilkins Avenue Memorialx

California University of Pennsylvania banner

Handmade laminated poster featuring tree with numerous multicolored paper leaves; printed inscription upper center. Handwritten inscriptions in various ink colors in each individual leaf. Blank back.

"Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church" program

Program from October 7, 2018 Sunday worship at Immaculate Conception Jesuit Church in New Orleans, Louisiana. The program was later inscribed with the following handwritten message: "Our prayers are with you!"

"With Deep Sympathy" card

"With Deep Sympathy" card. Front cover features a stock message comparing the love of lost ones to the light of a stars on a background with the night sky, twinkling with stars. Contains handwritten messages of sympathy and support to both the congregation and the family members. Signed: "VFW-3160 Norfolk, VA." VFW is a national service organization for veterans of foreign wars.

"Etz Chaim" card

Envelope with the Hebrew words "Etz Chaim" (Tree of Life) written in the center. The card features a large white dover on a blue background. It is addressed: "Beloved Mishpacha (family)." The note inside articulates the senders' pilgrimage to place a stone at the memorial which developed outside of the Tree of Life synagogue in the aftermath of the October 27 attack. Leaving a stone at graveside is a common Jewish mourning ritual. The letter concludes with a biblical quote from Job 14:7-9.

Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church (San Diego, Ca.) letter (001)

Envelope containing letters written by members of the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church in San Diego, California. The envelope is labeled with a piece of paper reading: "Letters for Tree of Life Synagogue."

Adat Shalom poster (3)

Light blue posterboard with a painted Star of David and tree in the center. Signed upper right corner. Traces of a mud-stained footprint and creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial. Back blank.

Thornhill Rebels sign

White posterboard with handwritten messages of support from the Thornhill Rebels in Toronto.

Bird in night sky card

Sympathy card with a bird flying over a night sky with flowers on its wings.

Adat Shalom poster (1)

Light blue posterboard with a painting of a tree with eleven leaves. The tree roots are connected to a silver Star of David. The names of the eleven victims of the October 27 attack are written on the leaves. The words: "Stronger Than Hate" appear in the upper center and upper left. Signed lower left. Extensive creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.

City Charter High School card

White posterboard folded into a card with a white plant stenciled on the front. Stencil done with sponge and multiple colors of paint. Interior includes a handwritten message and signatures to Tree of Life. Back has a message written in pencil and bleed through from markers.

Adat Shalom poster (2)

Large piece of green construction paper with white markings. Tree with leaves, outlined in pencil and with white paint, in the center. Signed in marker lower center. Tearing and creasing due to exposure to the elements at the Wilkins memorial.

St. Michael Catholic family poster

White posterboard with multiple signatures in colored markers. Illustration of two outstretched arms on the front. The upper half reads: "We lift our hands to God for you." The lower half reads: "St. Michael Catholic Family is praying for you." The reverse features additional signatures and a tree outlined in red in the lower center. Addressed to: "Tree of Life synagogue, Jewish community."

"Liberty K-5" tag

Printed label which reads: "Thinking of You. Liberty K-5 students." The label is taped to a piece of clear cellophane.

Sisters of St. Joseph card

Note of support from the Sisters of St. Joseph.

"Wishes of Comfort" card

Oversized handmade card on light brown construction paper with line drawing of a tree in blue marker on front. Interior includes messages from members of the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale - The Bayit.

San Dieguito United Methodist Church card

Card from clergy members affiliated with San Dieguito United Methodist Church in Encinitas, California. The front of the card features a multi-colored pattern of tiles with the message: "We Care About You-: We're thinking of you because we so much- and we to show you somehow..." in the upper center. The inside features a stock inscription: "So we're hoping you feel all the love that we're sending to help and support you right now!" as well as additional handwritten note from various clergy members.

St. Patrick's School sign

Laminated posterboard with a tree with heart shaped leaves in the center. Each heart contains a message or signature from sender. Blank back. Signed: "With love, the children of St. Patrick's School in Canonsburg."

"Shalom"/Stars of David card (1)

Card with a Stars of David pattern overlaid on blue tree trunk with the word "Shalom" in the upper center. The inside contains a message of condolence from over a dozen couples and individuals.

San Dieguito United Methodist Church letter

Handwritten letter expressing sympathy and messages of goodwill from various lay members of the San Dieguito United Methodist Church in Encinitas, California. Last names redacted for privacy.

City High charter school staff card

Card with pre-printed message reading, "'Sorry is not a big enough word to express the concern we feel for you." Interior includes handwritten signatures and messages from various members of the staff."