The fall of the World Trade Center towers on 9/11 is unforgettable if you lived through it. A visit to Ground Zero, with its memorial and museum, is therefore a must when in New York City. We had booked our tickets for the museum in advance while on the road to Camelback Resort. I was busy on this drive, organizing a couple of things while my friend was at the wheel. We all had our roles on this trip.
9/11 Museum @NYC
After a lazy morning on the Circle Line Cruise, where we mostly sat back and watched the city drift by, we walked over to the Financial District and the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. By then the weather had cleared, and later with a bluish sky above, the scenery looked almost unreal once we stepped outside the museum again.
9/11 Memorial and new WTC @NYC
the fountain inside the 9/11 Memorial @NYC
Interestingly, the second memorial fountain had no water. I am not sure why, perhaps they stop running at a certain time. In any case, standing at the fountains next to the footprints of the former towers really showed the sheer size of the buildings and brought home the force with which they were struck.
no water in the fountain @9/11 Memorial
The museum itself is underground, which feels fitting since nothing was left above so to speak. Some of the original steel beams were left in place and still rise into the sky.
steel beams still in place @9/11 museum
Many structural details were integrated into the exhibition underground. The visit began one level below ground with an explanation of what happened on September 11.
what happened on September 11, 2001 @9/11 museum
We then moved on to eyewitness accounts, who the planes hitting the towers, projected onto pillars. The experience felt confusing, perhaps in the same way it must have felt on that day.
confused eyewitness accounts @9/11 museum
The main exhibition took place on an even lower level, visible already from the starting area. It also became clear here how much of the original structure, or what was left from other buildings in the area, was included in the design of the museum.
main exhibition level @9/11 museum
One of the most touching displays was the wall with the missing person notices that had been put up after that day. So many people were unaccounted for and their loved ones searched for them in desperation.
missing persons wall @9/11 museum
Also preserved from the original site were the so-called Survivors’ Stairs, which once led into the metro area and to safety. Quite unbelievable to see them still there.
the survivors’ stairs @9/11 museum
the stairs leading to the metro and to safety @9/11 museum
A short film about the evacuation of Lower Manhattan was also shown, narrated by Tom Hanks. You can even watch it now on YouTube. For those not watching the film, there was also a powerful image of Lower Manhattan at sunset on that day, still shrouded in smoke.
Lower Manhattan at sunset @9/11 museum
One of the most striking art installations is a huge mosaic made of countless blue watercolor tiles, each representing a life lost and together recalling the clear blue morning sky before the attack.
remember the blue sky @9/11 museum
Other exhibits included artwork reflecting the rebuilding of the World Trade Center, as well as a firetruck that had been completely destroyed during the rescue efforts.
completely destroyed firetruck @9/11 museum
The last column of the South Tower, one of the 47 that supported the inner core, somehow remained standing and has been inscribed by the rescue workers.
the last column of the South Tower @9/11 museum
Other columns from the site looked very different after the collapse.
another column of the South Tower @9/11 museum
Most of the museum is off limits to photography. It was deeply moving to see pictures of people who knew that no help was possible and how they faced such a situation. Reading first-hand accounts from observers who felt it was right to remain as silent witnesses and to watch all this tragedy was equally powerful. Of course, you do not take a picture of that, although in the days of 9/11 these images were broadcast around the world and remain etched into my brain.
The struggles of the rescue workers also became clear. A cross was erected at Ground Zero to provide them with comfort and come to terms with the whole situation.
the cross at Ground Zero @9/11 museum
I spent about two hours reading and absorbing everything that was presented. There was not enough time for it all, but what I did see affected me deeply. It was a very emotional visit and I cried more than once. Even though decades have passed, September 11 will always be remembered. The museum brings it all back to life. Yours, Pollybert
