“SURVIVORS' STAIRS” TO MOVE TO MEMORIAL MUSEUM

[DMCKEON]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, December 10, 2008

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

WTC SITE MEDIA OPPORTUNITY

HISTORIC “SURVIVORS' STAIRS” REMNANT TO MOVE TO FINAL PLACEMENT IN MEMORIAL MUSEUM

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum and The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey will move the historic Vesey Street Stair Remnant (known as the Survivors’ Stairs) to its final placement in the Memorial Museum site between 9:30am and 10am on Thursday, December 11. The Stairs were lowered to bedrock level in July 2008.

Media will be allowed to access the World Trade Center site to film the move beginning at 9:30am. Representatives from the National September 11 Memorial & Museum will be available for comment.

The Stairs, which were used as a vital route to safety on the morning of September 11, 2001, will be installed along the main stairway of descent in the Memorial Museum, allowing visitors to experience the artifact from the same perspective as the individuals who escaped on September 11. The preservation and placement of the Stairs will speak to the core message that we are all “survivors” of 9/11.

The final move of the Stairs is taking place in a week of major construction milestones for the Memorial & Museum. On Saturday, December 13, removal of the 460-foot-long signature ramp that has allowed access to the World Trade Center site will begin. The ramp has been seen around the world on each of the seven 9/11 anniversary ceremonies since it provided victims family members access to the below-ground areas of the site. As the Memorial rises to street level, workers will access the below-ground area via staircases, and equipment and materials will be delivered via cranes.

Given the ramp’s historical significance to the World Trade Center clean-up effort, the rebuilding, and 9/11 anniversary commemorations, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum intends to preserve a section of the ramp as part of the Museum’s permanent collection.

Please note: This opportunity is subject to weather conditions. If postponement is necessary, an updated advisory will be issued.

DATE: Thursday, December 11, 2008

TIME: Media should arrive at the WTC site for entry at 9:30am.

LOCATION: Enter at WTC Site Gate 7, located on Liberty Street just west of Greenwich Street.

WHO: Joe Daniels, President & CEO of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum and Alan Reiss, Port Authority Deputy Director for WTC Construction, will be available for interviews.

RSVP: Please RSVP to National September 11 Memorial & Museum: Michelle Breslauer, 212-312-8808 or by email to mbreslauer@sept11mm.org by 7pm on Wednesday, December 10.

NOTE: All media representatives must wear long pants and boots or hard shoes to enter the site, and have proper media credentials. Anyone wearing sneakers or shorts will not be allowed on site.


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