WTC Tribute Center. (Tribute WTC Visitor Centre (New York, USA))

Member Name: Dexter01

Product:	Tribute WTC Visitor Centre (New York, USA)
Date:	17/07/09 (35 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Very delicately done and considerate.

Disadvantages: The fact that a tribute center is needed.

The Tribute Center for the World Trade Center disaster is located right on the periphery of 'Ground Zero', next door to Engine and Ladder 10's Firehouse of the New York Fire Department. It is very easily located. If you visit 'Ground Zero', then you will see it is a big square, just follow the square around and when you see a Firehouse with 2 great big red machines, you are right by the center.

When you enter the center, there is a very small gift shop on the left hand side and a till directly in front of you. I cannot remember how much it cost to enter the center, but I don't remember thinking that it was expensive and as all the proceeds go to the victims of the disaster, I had no problem with paying.

After paying, you walk a few yards and there is a large projection onto a wall of the day and clean up/recovery after the event playing. It is a very moving video. The sound from this is fed through speakers on this floor, so you don't have to watch it to hear it.

Situated on this floor are various pieces of history on the Twin Towers, through the building of them and occupancy afterwards. As you continue onwards through the center, you then start to see lots, and I mean lots, of letters and missing posters that were dotted around Manhattan after September 11th. These are very moving and can be quite distressing for some.

Then, you notice various pieces of debris recovered from the site. Parts of the airplanes, melted sunglasses, pieces of vehicles, etc. The most moving part for me was seeing a Firefighters turnout coat and helmet. The damage to these items was very shocking and made me hope the firefighter wearing them died instantly, as opposed to suffering. There is a small plaque with the gear stating the firefighter did die. All the items have plaques describing what they are and how they were found.

When you get to the far end of this room, all the names of the victims are displayed on the walls. There are some steps here to go downstairs for the rest of the center.

Downstairs, it is more to do with the clean up and what various services were provided after it all happened. You could also write a small note and leave it in a box to be put on a wall down here at a later date. Some of the notes left can be quite moving. Toilets are also located down here.

Dotted around the center at various points are tissue boxes, which can be very handy. If you are an emotional person, then be prepared to cry. I am not an emotional person at all. You could describe me as a stone with emotions, yet I shed a few tears while inside. It is very moving and very well done.

I don't remember seeing a lift anywhere or ramp to get downstairs, so that could be a problem if you rely on one of them.

If you visit New York, you need to visit this center to see what happened and how it affected people. If they do the permanant tribute as good as this, they will have honoured the victims.

Summary: A worthwhile visit, even for emotionally stumped people like me.