Twin Reflecting Pools of the National September 11 Memorial (9/11 Memorial) Revisited

Yesterday, more than 1000 people gathered at the National September 11 Memorial plaza for the annual reading of victims' names from both the 1993 and 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center. The solemn proceedings were held around two reflecting pools that stand in the footprint of the fallen twin towers. Flags, flowers, photos, origami, stuffed toys and other items were left on the bronze panel edging of the memorial pools as captured in these images made earlier today, one day after the 12th anniversary. The reflecting pools opened to the public two years ago (see previous post).  

The Newly Opened National September 11 Memorial (9/11 Memorial) - Twin Reflecting Pools

South Pool

A cascade of water that describes the perimeter of each square feeds the pools with a continuous stream. They are large voids, open and visible reminders of the absence.

Memorial names inscribed on bronze parapets (lit at night) surrounding the pools. Names have been stencil-cut into the parapets, allowing visitors to look through the names at the water, and to create paper impressions or rubbings of individual names. At night, light shines up through the voids created by each letter of a name.

Daytime image of the pool

Memorial Plaza

North Pool with the 9/11 Museum Pavilion in the background

9/11 Museum Pavilion (under construction)

The "Survivor Tree" is a callery pear that survived the devastion, preserved for re-planting, and now replanted at the Memorial Plaza.

Lamp posts evoke the architecture of the Twin Towers

video (from IsraeliPM) of NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg showing Israel Prime Minister the 9/11 Memorial

The National September 11 Memorial or 9/11 Memorial opened to the public last September 12. The memorial is a tribute of remembrance and honor to the nearly 3,000 people killed in the terror attacks of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Center site, near Shanksville, Pa., and at the Pentagon, as well as the six people killed in the World Trade Center bombing in February 1993.

The Memorial’s twin reflecting pools are each nearly an acre in size and feature the largest manmade waterfalls in the North America. The pools sit within the footprints where the Twin Towers once stood. Architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker created the Memorial design selected from a global design competition that included more than 5,200 entries from 63 nations.

The names of every person who died in the 2001 and 1993 attacks are inscribed into bronze panels edging the Memorial pools, a powerful reminder of the largest loss of life resulting from a foreign attack on American soil and the greatest single loss of rescue personnel in American history.

The photos of the memorial were taken yesterday, September 24, 2011.

To visit the 9/11 Memorial, free advance passes are required and are available through the Memorial's online reservation system (see website below). A limited number of passes for same day visits are also available daily at the 9/11 Memorial Preview Site at 20 Vesey St (at Church St.) beginning at 9:00 AM, the NYC & Co. kiosk at City Hall and the NY Water Taxi booth at the South Street Seaport (limited to 4 passes per person on a first-come, first-served basis).

Information from the 9/11 Memorial website

NYC Marks 10th Year Anniversary of 9/11: "Ribbons of Hope" At Battery Park

Ribbons of Hope is an interactive, community-created project designed to commemorate the 10th anniversary of 9/11 that allows individuals to leave a personalized messages of hope for NYC to be displayed in lower Manhattan's Battery Park over the 9/11 weekend.  Project staff shipped thousands of packages of ribbons and pens to families, organizations and communities across the country. People of all backgrounds, religions, ages and races are invited to participate. The personalized messages of "hope and healing" represent a rich, multicolored tapestry that represents the very best of the American and human spirit. Visitors from other states and from other countries also participated. The panels of ribbons with messages are on display in Battery Park until noon, September 12.

NYC Marks 10th Year Anniversary of 9/11: Bryant Park's 2,753 Empty Chairs And "Collective Memory"

At the Bryant Park Lawn, 2,753 empty chairs are set up from September 9 through 11 in remembrance of the 2,753 lives lost as a result of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attacks. The chairs face the site where the Twin Towers once stood. At the Upper Terrace of the park, visitors can type their responses to the question, "What would you like the world to remember about 9/11?" An old-fashioned Royal typewriter is available, and typists are present at certain times to assist visitors. This interactive public art project called "Collective Memory" is conceived by Sheryl Oring. The Bryant Park installation is one of many memorials that have been taking place in the city to remember 9/11. Bryant Park is located behind the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan, between 40th and 42nd Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues. 


The World Trade Center 9/11 Memorial at the World Trade Center site will be open to the public beginning September 12. Online reservations are required.

9/11 Tiles for America New York City Memorial Reinstallation In The West Village

Some of the tiles yet to be reinstalled

Volunteers helping out in the reinstallation of the tiles

The Tiles for America 9/11 Memorial located at the corner of 7th Avenue and 11th Street at Mulry Square in the West Village have been reinstalled after volunteers put them away before hurricane Irene was scheduled to hit New York City. Ten years ago, thousands of tiles reflecting patriotism, heroes, courage, unity, poetry and other positive themes began to arrive in New York City following the tragic events of 9/11. The tiles were installed in a chain link fence and became known as the "Tiles For America New York City Memorial."