9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is the United States’ national landmark to recognise and document the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. The memorial is located at the site of the World Trade Centre, and it functions not only to remember those who were killed in the 2001 and 1993 terror attacks, but also to address how the aftermath of 9/11 continues to impact survivors, families who lost loved ones, and our current world.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum provides resources for individuals, parents, and families to process this event with a variety of media, narratives, and artefacts. The institution works to acknowledge the pain that many survivors and families of victims still deal with today and to accompany them in their journeys of healing. The total components of the memorial and museum include the memorial itself, the Memorial Glade, the Survivor Tree, and the museum.

9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York - one of the highlights of 13 Best Things to Do in New York and 11 Best Free Things to Do in New York (Read all about New York here)

9/11 Memorial & Museum highlights

The memorial has a specific organisational system to honour those lost in the terror attacks. If you're looking to find a particular loved one’s name on the memorial, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s site has online tools, including an interactive map and a comprehensive list of names, that you can use to locate lives lost. If you'd like an audio tour to go along with the memorial, you can download a 40-minute tour that details the events of 9/11, the victims of the attacks, and the design of the memorial.

The 9/11 Memorial Glade is specifically dedicated to first responders and civilians who died from health complications after exposure to hazards and toxins in the air at and around the World Trade Centre. This space recognises their sacrifice and suffering.

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History of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum

The museum was opened in May of 2014 after a dedication by President Barack Obama and 9/11 Memorial Chairman Michael R. Bloomberg. As visitors enter the museum, they descend into the cavity of the original World Trade complex. Exhibitions include historic remnants, such as the “Survivors’ Stairs,” a staircase at the edge of the World Trade Centre Plaza that allowed many people to escape from the site on 9/11.

While the museum’s permanent collection features over 70,000 artefacts from responders, survivors, and victims, the museum also has rotating and temporary exhibits. These exhibits examine the in-depth realities faced in the wake of the terror attacks, such as the search for Osama bin Laden and the numerous K-9s who were placed in service in response to the attacks. Additionally, the museum features information on the meaningful details that architects intentionally designed for the museum and memorial.

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Good to know when visiting the 9/11 Memorial & Museum

Located just east of the Glade, the Survivor Tree is a Callery pear tree that endured the 9/11 terror attacks, even after suffering severely snapped roots and burned branches. In 2010, the tree was relocated back to the memorial site after rehabilitation, and today it stands as a symbol of the strength and survival of those who live with the pain of this tragedy.

Especially if you’re travelling with younger children, keep in mind that the memorial expects guests to act with respect for others visiting. In preparation for your visit, check online for resources on how to talk to young children about 9/11 and terrorism. Visitors are allowed to leave tribute items in front of the memorial pools, on the bronze parapets surrounding the pools, and on the stone monoliths of the Memorial Glade. Check the memorial’s site for size limits of items and to learn what items are prohibited from memorial or museum entry.

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Dirección: 180 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10007, USA

Teléfono: +1 212-312-8800

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