Panel Image
The World Trade Center: Rescue, Recovery, Response
Ongoing Exhibition
World Trade Center Gallery
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.
Rescue
A detailed timeline traces the first 24 hours of September 11, 2001, and presents indelible images from that day. See the heavily damaged Engine 6 pumper, recovered New York Police Department and Fire Department objects, architectural remains, several battered flags, and a large steel column from floors 7–9 of the South Tower.
Recovery
The stories of the recovery operation at Fresh Kills are told through the many objects found in the mountains of debris, including material from the everyday life of the buildings, the steering wheel from a car, Observation Deck souvenirs, melted floppy discs, keys, and a crushed payphone. A large collection of firearms from WTC Building 6 are on exhibition along with several destroyed street lampposts, fire hydrants, and a destroyed elevator door from one of the World Trade Center towers.
Response
Highlights a selection of objects from the State Museum's collection of emotional material created in response to September 11, such as a portion of a preserved fence section covered with memorial flags, banners, photographs, and flowers located on Broadway at Liberty Street.
Additional Exhibit Features
Sadako's Crane
In 1955, Sadako Sasaki, a twelve-year-old Japanese victim of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, created this delicate origami crane while she was diagnosed and hospitalized with leukemia. Donated to the 9/11 Tribute Museum in 2007 as a symbol of peace and resilience, the original origami crane will be on view in the NYSM's World Trade Center Gallery each September in honor of the 9/11 anniversary. In an effort to limit light exposure, a reproduction crane will be on view throughout the rest of the year.
World Trade Center Commuters - The Kristen Artz Collection
These photographs document morning commuters entering the World Trade Center Mall in weeks prior to the attacks of September 11, 2001 and are a historical record documenting space that no longer exists and possibly people who died in the attacks or from resulting illnesses.
Educational Resource
World Trade Center Teacher Guide (1.69 MB)
Online Feature
The New York State Museum is a program of the University of the State of New York
New York State Education Department