The Lens: Capturing Life and Events at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a photography series devoted to documenting moments big and small that unfold at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum.

The View: Looking up at One World Trade Center on a recent stormy evening. The thick fog prevented a full view of the 1,776-foot skyscraper, the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere. 

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

The Lens: Capturing Life and Events at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum is a photography series devoted to documenting moments big and small that unfold at the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. 

The View: American flag flies at 9/11 Memorial with One World Trade Center in the background captured by Jin Lee. By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Today, One World Observatory opens its doors to the world. The beautiful One World Trade Center has helped reclaim the skyline of New York City and now, for years to come, millions of visitors will be a part of seeing the unmatched vistas that it offers.

In the weeks, months, and years that followed September 11, 2001, we’ve watched as dedicated individuals like the heroic rescue and recovery workers in the aftermath, followed by so many from the construction and engineering trades, as well as those from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, came together to make this place whole once again.

Last May, the 9/11 Memorial Museum opened, and for the first time, as staff and visitors descended the grand staircase into the Museum, they looked up and were greeted with an incredible parallel of the twin tridents from the North Tower juxtaposed against the beautiful new tower—a view that is both a reflection of memory and resiliency, as well as rebirth.  

On behalf of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Legends’ CEO David Checketts for his vision and the tremendous team at One World Observatory. The rebuilding at the World Trade Center continues to drive a powerful and ongoing revitalization of downtown. We are so happy to welcome One World Observatory to the area.

By Joe Daniels, President & CEO 9/11 Memorial Museum 

About 1,000 participants will ascend 180 flights of stairs in honor of the first responders who died on 9/11 in an upcoming charity event at One World Trade Center on May 17.

Hosted by the Captain Billy Burke Foundation and the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, the event – the first of its kind at 1 WTC – will raise funds to build homes for catastrophically injured veterans.

Among the participants is Janet Roy, the sister of Burke, the FDNY Captain who died on 9/11 and after whom the foundation is named, the Sun-Sentinel reported.

Steve Coyne, a Chicago police officer who hopes to raise $911 for the event, will also be climbing next week, as will Jamie Cossler, a Hendersonville, Tenn. fire captain.

Greg Kalkwarf, a Denver businessman who was at the 2013 Boston Marathon when two bombs exploded at the finish line, decided to join the climb because his experience at the marathon gave him “a whole new appreciation for what everyone in Lower Manhattan went through on 9/11,” he told the Denver Business Journal.

The Suffolk Times, a local newspaper covering part of Suffolk County on Long Island, featured six women who plan to partake, declaring their team the “East End Wonder Women.” They have raised more than $2,500.

“This is something I didn’t have to think twice about,” Donna Carnevale, a resident of Cutchogue, said. “As Americans, why wouldn’t we do this?”

By Jordan Friedman, 9/11 Memorial Research and Digital Projects Associate

In just 47 seconds, visitors to the top of 1 World Trade Center will witness 515 years of New York City history.

The One World Observatory opens May 29, and an elevator trip from the bottom floor to the 102nd floor includes an animated, three-dimensional panoramic view of the tip of Manhattan from the 16th century to present day.

The New York Times reported, “At first, one feels enclosed in bedrock. The year is 1500 and the elevator is 55 feet below ground. As it rises, time advances. The cab seems to head skyward from an offshore marsh, a reminder that the trade center site was originally underwater.”

Read the full article in the Times.

By Jordan Friedman, 9/11 Memorial Research and Digital Projects Associate

Gazing at the 9/11 Memorial through a skyscraper's floor-to-ceiling glass window, President Obama uttered two words on what he surveyed: "That's beautiful."

Many of the more than 3 million memorial visitors from all over the world couldn't agree with you more Mr. President.

"At the 9/11 Memorial . . . beautiful," Chad Stillwell shared on the social network Twitter. Emma from the United Kingdom said on tripadvisor.com that "The reflecting pools were beautiful." Kimberly Rene Oser of Queens said, "We paid another visit to the Memorial . . . with our niece and nephew. Just beautiful."

Yesterday, Obama traveled to the World Trade Center site to tour tower one, formerly called the Freedom Tower. From the 22nd floor of the building, Obama and the first lady had a very beautiful view of the memorial, which opened in September. The president was last at the World Trade Center site for the 10-year anniversary of the 2001 terror attacks.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Staff photographer Amy Dreher snaps a lot of pictures at the World Trade Center site, documenting the construction progress. Amy also trains her lens on the smaller pieces that may be overlooked with a project of this magnitude. Through “The Lens: Viewing the 9/11 Memorial,” readers of The MEMO blog can share some of the unique vantage points captured by Amy.

Fall:  An oak leaf from one of the 9/11 Memorial's trees is caught in a chain link fence on the perimeter of the World Trade Center site. One World Trade Center is looming in the distance at left. Rebuilding continues at the WTC site.

By 9/11 Memorial Staff

Since construction began on the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, there’s been one man who’s seen every angle, view and development.

Joe Woolhead, the photographer capturing the World Trade Center site and memorial and museum’s construction, is working together with Silverstein Properties to document the progress.

Woolhead’s photos have been featured in The New York Times, Time, Town & Country, Esquire, Gotham, New York Post, Daily News, and Wall Street Journal, along with many other national and international publications.

To access more information about Woolhead and his photography, click here.   

By 9/11 Memorial Staff