Number Of Architectural Design Drafts: 105
After creating more than 100 design ideas with various combinations of buildings, architect Minoru Yamasakis team settled on a seven-building complex with a centerpiece of two identical 110-story towers. The towers’ design featured a distinctive steel-cage exterior consisting of 59 precise, narrowly spaced slender steel columns per side.
An architect’s model of the proposed World Trade Center, c. 1965.
Underwood Archives/Getty Images
The World Trade Center: Rescue Recovery Response
The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response details the history of the World Trade Center, the September 11 attacks, the rescue efforts, the evidence recovery operation at the Fresh Kills facility, and the public response to the September 11th events. The exhibition includes many objects, images, videos, and interactive stations documenting this tragic chapter in New York and America’s history.
Facts About Ground Zero And The 9/11 Memorials
Though many tourists might be familiar with the events of September 11th, some may not know these important facts about Ground Zero and the 9/11 museum, thanks to the official 9/11 Memorial website and History.com.
- Before the Twin Towers fell they were both over 1,300 feet in height. The North Tower was 1,368 feet high while the South Tower reached 1,362 feet.
- The first plane hit the first tower at 8:45 am at approximately the 80th floor, and the second plane hit the South Tower at 9:03 am at approximately the 60th floor.
- The buildings took roughly ten seconds to collapse to the ground bringing with them about 300,000 tons of steel.
- Almost 3,000 people died in the 9/11 attacks , and 343 of those were firefighters who are also honored at the FDNY Memorial Wall.
- To create the 9/11 Memorial there was an international competition that took place In 2003. The following year, architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker were announced the winners with their design titled Reflecting Absence which featured the two pools and white oak trees we see today.
- The Memorial Pools are about the size of one acre each and took ten years to build. The National September 11 Museum opened its doors three years later and continues to be one of the most popular museums to visit in NYC.
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One World Trade Center: Hours Tickets And Directions
One World Trade Center remembers those who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attacks. It is not only the tallest building in the World Trade Center Complex but also in the nation. Its an impressive sight to view from the outside at 1,776 feet high. However, the inside is also something to see. Here, youll find the Oculus subway, Westfield Shops, and restaurants.
While here, check out One World Observatory. It sits at the top of One World Trade Center boasting city views at 102 stories high. And you can try an interactive tour and food from the restaurant and bar.
Admission fee to One World Trade Center: There is no fee to enter the World Trade Center Westfield Shops or Oculus.
Hours: Westfield Shops at the Oculus are open daily, Monday-Saturday from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm. Sunday hours are from 11:00 am-6:00 pm.
Admission fee to the One World Observatory: General admission starts at $38 per person.
Hours: The Observatory is currently open Thursday through Monday from 10:00 am 8:00 pm.
Directions: Get here by subway taking the 1 to WTC Cortlandt, the E to World Trade Center, or the R W to Cortlandt. One World Trade Center will be less than a 5-minute walk from the subway station.
Address: 50 Church Street, New York
Rentable Floor Space: About One Acre Per Floor
The Twin Towers innovative design, which placed structural load on the outside columns rather than inside pillars, facilitated the owners desire for a maximum amount of rentable space. With 10 million square feet of office spacemore than Houston, Detroit or downtown Los Angeles had at the time, according to The New York Timesthe World Trade Center came to be dubbed a city within a city.
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Guided Tours Led By New Yorkers With Personal Connections To The Events Of 9/11
When the planes hit the Twin Towers on September 11th, the world watched as one of the most recognizable symbols of power and freedom fell. From the smell of fire to the sound of sirens, New Yorkers witnessed firsthand the events of that day. Even now, they can recall the moments of tragedy and heroism that tested and ultimately strengthened our city.
Walk with us as we explore Ground Zero. Hear firsthand accounts from guides who remember 9/11. Learn about the new World Trade Center and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. Take a moment to honor the lives lost and to see and celebrate New York Citys resilience.
Remembering The Story Of 9/11
Exhibition spaces, conceived by lead designers Thinc Design in collaboration with Local Projects, provide visitors with an indelible encounter with the story of the attacks situated within the authentic site of the World Trade Center. The Museums core exhibitions are located inside the footprints of the North and South Towers. In Memoriam, the Museums memorial exhibition in the South Tower footprint, commemorates the victims of the attacks of September 11, 2001 and February 26, 1993.
In the North Tower footprint, the Museums historical exhibition designed by Layman Design, , revisits the events of that day and explores the attacks historical antecedents as well as their aftermath and lasting repercussions. Layman Design was brought on board in 2010 to advance and finalize design development of the historical exhibition.
The Museum also has two galleries for rotating, temporary exhibitions. The South Tower Gallery in the South Tower footprint is dedicated to exhibitions of photography and artwork. The Special Exhibitions Gallery, in the North Tower footprint, explores topics of contemporary significance that speak to the ongoing ramifications of 9/11. This gallery is temporarily closed.
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How To Visit Ground Zero And 9/11 Memorial Museum In 202: Tickets Hours Tours And More
Carissa ChesanekLast Updated: November 3, 2022
Ground Zero and The National September 11 Memorial Museum are significant sites in New York Citys history. The historic landmarks honor those who died in the September 11, 2001 terror attacks and the World Trade Center bombing in 1993. But theres a lot to see and it can be confusing to decide how to plan your trip to these must-see memorials. Heres how to visit Ground Zero and 9/11 Memorial Museum, with information on tickets, hours, tours, and more
Pro Tip: Bookmark this article as a helpful guide for your visit to Ground Zero, the 9/11 Memorial Museum. You can also use our helpful guide for planning your trip to New York City to see the best sites and eat tasty food.
What To See At The 9/11 Memorial
The World Trade Center is now a park of oak trees in the centre of which stand the twin fountains that make up the 9/11 Memorial, where water cascades down in a waterfall. In tribute to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the names of those who lost their lives that day are engraved on the outer edges of the fountains.
The fountains and the names of the victims are illuminated at night, giving the place a special atmosphere. If you book your tickets for the 9/11 Museum and Memorial, you can get an in-depth look at the details of what happened on that day.
If you prefer to complete your tour with an expert guide to help you contextualise everything you see, I recommend this 9/11 Memorial and Ground Zero Tour, which also includes optional admission to the National 9/11 Museum.
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Port Authority Construction Workers
A WoodSearch Films short-subject documentary entitled How does it feel to work on One World Trade Center? was uploaded to on August 31, 2010. It depicted construction workers who were satisfied with the working conditions at the construction site. However, further analysis of the work site showed that dozens of construction-related injuries had occurred at the site during the construction of One World Trade Center, including 34 not reported to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Workers also left post-9/11-related graffiti at the site, which are supposed to symbolize rebirth and resilience.
How Is The 9/11 Museum Different From The 9/11 Tribute Museum
To put it simply, the 9/11 Museum located on the memorial site is the official museum. The 9/11 Tribute Museum is run by the September 11 Families Association and focuses more on the personal experiences of those impacted by the attacks.
Both are informative and compelling, but if you have to choose one, I would recommend you spend your time at the 9/11 Museum.
Guide tip: Make sure you get the right ticket. While the 9/11 Tribute Museum is a quality exhibit, many guests will buy a package deal for One World Observatory and the Tribute Museum thinking that they are getting tickets to the museum inside the memorial and end up disappointed. If you choose a combo ticket instead of going with a tour, make sure you read the information carefully to ensure you know what you are buying.
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New World Trade Center
Over the following years, plans were created for the reconstruction of the World Trade Center. The Lower Manhattan Development Corporation , established in November 2001 to oversee the rebuilding process, organized competitions to select a site plan and memorial design.Memory Foundations, designed by Daniel Libeskind, was selected as the master plan however, substantial changes were made to the design.
The first new building at the site was 7 WTC, which opened on May 23, 2006. The memorial section of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum opened on September 11, 2011, and the museum opened on May 21, 2014. 1 WTC opened on November 3, 2014 4 WTC opened on November 13, 2013 and 3 WTC opened on June 11, 2018.
World Trade Center Survivorsa New Addition To The World Trade Center Gallery
When the World Trade Center was attacked on September 11, 2001, there were between 16,000 and 18,000 people inside the Twin Towers. In the chaos that ensued, building security, first responders, and ordinary civilians undertook one of the largest emergency evacuations in American historyan estimated 13,000 to 15,000 people successfully evacuated the towers. This new addition to the Word Trade Center Gallery will present the stories of three of those survivors.
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Names On The Memorial
Prior to its opening in 2011 on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum underwent a multi-year process to verify and arrange the names that would be inscribed into the Memorials bronze parapets. All inscribed names represent 9/11 attack homicide victims: people who died as a direct result of injury sustained in the attacks on September 11, 2001, including the impacts of the planes and the building collapses.
Every name can be located by the panel on which it is inscribed. A panel address is comprised of the letter N or S followed by a number 1 through 76. See a full list of names on the Memorial.
National September 11 Memorial Museum
Top choice in Financial District & Lower Manhattan
©Kotsovolos Panagiotis/Shutterstock
When the twin towers of the World Trade Center toppled during the awful events of 11 September 2001, it led to years of soul-searching about what would be an appropriate memorial to replace these lost landmarks. Eventually, New York City opted for subtlety and dignity, and the end result was this humbling museum in Lower Manhattan & the Financial District, flanked by the sombre reflective pools of the adjacent National September 11 Memorial, creating a moving homage to those lost in the tragedy.
Incorporating parts of the site devastated by the collapsing skyscrapers, and remnants of the towers themselves, the museum is architecturally intriguing and deeply poignant. Its collection of artifacts, videos, photographs and audio recordings provide a thought-provoking and reflective exploration of the tragedy, the events that preceded it , and the stories of grief, resilience and hope that followed.
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On The Surrounding Community
The original World Trade Center created a superblock that cut through the area’s street grid, isolating the complex from the rest of the community. The Port Authority had demolished several streets to make way for the towers within the World Trade Center. The project involved combining the 12-block area bounded by Vesey, Church, Liberty, and West Streets on the north, east, south, and west, respectively. 7 World Trade Center was built on the superblock’s north side in the late 1980s over another block of Greenwich Street. The building acted as a physical barrier separating Tribeca to the north and the Financial District to the south. The underground mall at the World Trade Center also drew shoppers away from surrounding streets.
The project was seen as being monolithic and overambitious, with the design having had no public input. By contrast, the rebuilding plans had significant public input. The public supported rebuilding a street grid through the World Trade Center site. One of the rebuilding proposals included building an enclosed shopping street along the path of Cortlandt Street, one of the streets demolished to make room for the original World Trade Center. However, the Port Authority ultimately decided to rebuild Cortlandt, Fulton, and Greenwich Streets, which were destroyed during the original World Trade Center’s construction.
/11 Memorial: Hours Tickets And Directions
The 9/11 Memorial opened ten years after the September 11th terror attacks as a place for healing. Youll find the Memorial Pools, Memorial Glade, and Survivor Tree here to visit quietly and reflect on their meaning for this special area.
Admission fee: There is no fee to visit the 9/11 Memorial.
Hours: The 9/11 Memorial is open daily from 10 am 5 pm.
Directions: Get here by subway taking the 1 to WTC Cortlandt or the E to World Trade Center. The 9/11 Memorial will be less than a 5-minute walk from the subway station.
Address: 180 Greenwich Street, New York
Pro tip: If you are visiting on September 11th, you may be able to see the Tribute in Light ceremony. This art installation projects two beams of light high in the sky resembling the Twin Towers. And you dont necessarily have to be at the memorial to see it. The installation can be viewed within a 60-mile radius in the Lower Manhattan area.
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Motive For Building The Museum
The 9/11 Memorial Museum serves to document the events and to honour the victims of the two terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center and those of the terrorist attack on 26 February, 1993, when six people were killed and over a thousand wounded in one of the Twin Towers.
It is the country’s main institution dedicated to the 9/11 attacks and their impact on the New York population and the rest of the world.
Recognizing The Power Of Place
Visitors descend to the main exhibition and education level via a ramp that evokes a history of construction ramps at the World Trade Center site: one to build the original complex in the 1960s and another installed during the post-9/11 recovery period to remove wreckage from the site and grant victims family members access to Ground Zero.
At bedrock, visitors encounter two monumental spaces: Memorial Hall and Foundation Hall. In Memorial Hall, located between the footprints of the original Twin Towers, two site-specific artworks are on view. A quotation forged from recovered World Trade Center steel by artist and blacksmith Tom JoyceNo day shall erase you from the memory of timespeaks to the Museums promise to remember the 2,983 lives lost on 9/11 and in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Surrounding the letters of the Virgil quote is a work by artist Spencer Finch titled Trying to Remember the Color of the Sky on That September Morning. Composed of 2,983 individual paper panels, Finchs installation is a panoramic mosaic of color that attests to the magnitude of the disaster and its incalculable cost in human lives.
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New York City’s 9/11 Tribute Museum Closes Its Doors
The 9/11 Tribute Museum in Lower Manhattan will close its doors permanently Wednesday after being unable to rebound from pandemic losses. Kemberly Richardson has the story.
LOWER MANHATTAN, New York City — The 9/11 Tribute Museum in Lower Manhattan closed its doors permanently Wednesday after being unable to rebound from pandemic losses.
The September 11th Families’ Association, which founded the 9/11 Tribute Museum, hinted back in March that this day was coming, after a sharp decline in visitors and revenue since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Financial hardship including lost revenue caused by the pandemic prevents us from generating sufficient funding to continue to operate the physical museum,” co-founder and CEO Jennifer Adams-Webb said.
The number of visitors has dropped from more than 500,000 in 2011 to just 26,000 last year.
“We’re millions of dollars in debt with our lease, and to try and make that up on top of our annual operating cost is almost impossible without visitors or some intervention from our government,” Adams-Webb said.
The museum on Greenwich Street, which is separate from the 9/11 Memorial and Museum at ground zero, will continue its presence online, which officials say will allow them to continue providing educational resources and support for the 9/11 community.
Bitwinski cheated death twice inside the World Trade Center, first in 1993, when he was in the North Tower when the bombing happened.
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