Remembering 9/11: Free Admission for New Yorkers Every Sunday at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum
The September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City will now offer free admission to New Yorkers every Sunday afternoon, thanks to a new $2.2 million state grant. The museum currently provides free entry on the first Sunday of each month from 4 to 7 p.m. for New Yorkers. This initiative, known as the "First Sundays" program, was initially supported by a grant from the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. With the additional state funding, the free-admission program will be expanded to include every Sunday for New Yorkers starting in October, as announced by Governor Kathy Hochul and the 9/11 Museum.
Governor Hochul emphasized the importance of remembering the events of 9/11 and honoring the lives lost that day. She highlighted the significance of providing all New Yorkers, especially those who were too young to remember the attacks, with the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum. By extending the New York First Sundays program to every Sunday throughout the year, more New Yorkers will have the chance to experience the museum, pay tribute to the victims, and reflect on the courage, resilience, and unity that emerged in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Beth Hillman, President & CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, expressed gratitude to Governor Hochul for the state's support. She noted that since the inception of the New York First Sundays program, many first-time visitors have been able to visit the museum and connect with the shared history of New Yorkers and 9/11. By expanding the program to include every Sunday, thousands more New Yorkers will have the opportunity to visit the museum and rekindle the sense of community that emerged following the attacks.
Situated on eight acres of the World Trade Center site, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum serves as a tribute to the 2,983 lives lost during the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and an earlier attack on February 26, 1993. Through its exhibits and programs, the museum aims to preserve the stories of those affected by the tragic events and ensure that future generations remember and learn from this pivotal moment in history.
In conclusion, the expansion of the free-admission program at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum to include every Sunday for New Yorkers underscores the commitment to honoring the memory of the victims and fostering a sense of unity and remembrance among all visitors. This initiative, supported by state funding, aims to provide greater access to the museum's exhibits and narratives, allowing more New Yorkers to engage with the profound legacy of 9/11 and its enduring impact on the city and the nation.