Construction is complete at the Tribute Center, a 6,000-square-foot interactive educational center houses exhibitions pertaining to the events of February 26, 1993, and September 11, 2001, and the lives impacted by them. Located at 120 Liberty Street, the Tribute Center officially opened on September 18th, 2006. The center offers visitors of all ages and backgrounds a meaningful learning experience in its galleries, as well as through regularly scheduled programs and walking tours of the World Trade Center (WTC) site.
The Tribute Center, a project of the September 11th Widows' and Victims' Families Association is intended to serve as the central place for information and reflection until the WTC Memorial, “Reflecting Absence,” opens in 2009.
The total cost to construct and operate the Tribute Center is approximately $15.5 million, officials said. This project is made possible in part by a $3 million grant from the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation (LMDC) and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Tribute Center is also supported by Deutsche Bank, the American Express Foundation, and the American Red Cross. The Families’ Association reached out to a wide range of donors to meet the center’s development and operating costs.
When the project was officially announced in June 2005, workers began clearing out the debris inside 120 Liberty. The building formerly housed two retail stores. Exterior work for the Tribute Center included renovating the façade of the existing storefronts to create a single glass exterior allowing passersby to look directly into the space.
The design for the Tribute Center was completed by BKSK Architects, a New York City firm with expertise in civic facilities and historic preservation. The center consists of two levels. The lower level holds a changing exhibition space, restrooms, a small office, and storage rooms. The permanent exhibit is located on the ground floor. There is no charge to go to the center, although a donation is suggested.
The Tribute Center opened to the public on September 18th, 2006.
Tribute Center: 120 Liberty Street (between Church Street and Greenwich Street), (212) 422-3520
Hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Sunday
Walking Tours: Tours are offered on weekdays at 1 and 3 p.m. and on weekends at noon, 1, 2, and 3 p.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults; children under 12 are free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.tributenyc.org. Tours meet in front of 120 Liberty Street. Nearest subway stations include World Trade Center and Rector Street.
“The exhibits will put a human face on what happened in 1993 and 2001 to help visitors understand the impact of those events,” Tribute Center President Sally Yerkovich said. “The exhibits will be based on stories, artifacts, and photos.” The exhibits will also highlight the history and future development of the WTC and explain the attack and loss at the Pentagon and the heroic efforts of Flight 93 passengers over Shanksville, PA, on September 11, 2001.
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