
As the 8th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center fast approaches, one of NYC’s newest Museums allows visitors from all over the globe to enter the private world of the “Recovery at Ground Zero.” Ground Zero Museum Workshop, located in the Meatpacking District (420 West 14th St.), features the stunning images of the Official Photographer at Ground Zero as well as rare artifacts that guests are allowed to pick up and hold. Recently ranked by TripAdvisor.com as the “3rd Most Popular Attraction in NYC” — tours sell out well in advance so book early by calling ZERVE at (212) 209-3370 or you can buy tickets off the Museum website.
Known as the “Biggest LITTLE Museum in New York” by the press for it’s unorthodox size but huge story content, daily 2-hour tours include your personal tour guide, a video on large screen, a walk-thru/explanation of artifacts and lastly you are turned over to the self-guided audio units (French, English, Spanish, Italian) which contain detailed stories behind the 100 images & artifacts on display.
GZMW is kid-friendly, containing no graphic images nor any scenes from the day of 9/11, choosing instead to focus on the never-before-seen “Recovery Period.” Some of the images are presented in realistic 3-D installations. Every inch of this tiny Museum has been carefully crafted in great detail and the Museum staff is quite sensitive and professional in the way they treat guests, many of whom are confronting these emotions for the first time. The New York Times dubbed the image collection “Rare Photos” and the Associated Press called them “Intimate Images.”
The Museum was conceived and created by actor Marlon Suson, who is an Honorary Battalion Chief in the FDNY and who sometimes will sit in on a tour and answer questions for guests (watch a FOX NEWS story on his work). Mr. Suson uses his 501c3 Museum to raise funds for Pediatric AIDS, Susan G. Komen Cancer, FDNY Firefighter Joe Graffagnino Children’s Fund, FDNY Chief Ray Downey Scholarship Fund and Women for Women International. A gift shop with books and posters is available after the tour.
With all the rebuilding delays at the World Trade Center site, it is nice to know that there is a Museum for visitors currently open that helps visitors see what life was was like INSIDE Ground Zero, summarily sharing special stories that can not be heard anywhere but at Ground Zero Museum Workshop.
Make sure and visit this little ‘gem’ of a Museum before going down to the Ground Zero site. It will help you have a greater understanding of this tragic event as a whole. With so many attractions and things to see in NYC, it can be hard to squeeze them all in on a trip, but put this one at the top of your list.
Ground Zero Museum Workshop
“Images & Artifacts from the Recovery”
420 West 14th Street, Meatpacking District
Tickets: $25/Adults, $19/Seniors/Kids
Length: 2 Hours
Audio Tours in English, French, Italian, Spanish
Wheelchair Accessible
Reservations: (212) 209-3370 (ZERVE)
Web: www.GroundZeroMuseum.com
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