On September 11, thousands of people were victims of the most horrific act of terrorism in America. Their lives and their promise were taken from them. Juliana was one of the youngest victims.

They were best friends, close as sisters, and they were headed to California. Paige Farley-Hackel, Juliana’s godmother and Ruth McCourt, Juliana’s mom were going to fly from Boston together on United Airlines Flight 175, but when Paige Farley-Hackel realized she could use frequent flyer miles, she got a ticket for American Airlines Flight 11 instead. The McCourt’s said goodbye in the early morning hours at Logan International Airport in Boston on September 11th and boarded their planes.

The two women planned on meeting in Los Angeles to take Juliana to Disneyland. Farley-Hackel’s plane was hijacked and struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The McCourt’s flight, hijacked as well, crashed into the South Tower shortly thereafter.

In order to transform the devastation of September 11th into a constructive effort The six-acre September 11 Memorial Garden at Lyman Allyn Museum in New London was created.

In memory of the local people who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center, it features a bird study garden, an overlook garden, a vista garden, a children’s secret garden and a brick tea terrace. There’s also an ethereal sculpture by Ana Flores, and rebuilt terraces around the Deshon Allyn House.

The public garden, inspired by New London resident Ruth McCourt and her 4-year-old daughter, Juliana, who were on one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center.

Joe Nott, David McCourt, Rep’ Simmons, Chip Segar
2004 – FD 10 – Police 5

2005 – Police 14 – FD 9

2013