Ground Zero Museum Workshop Tour

Hello Gary, My name is Jill Topness from Rochester, Minnesota and just got back from New York after a 3 1/2 day vacation there with a friend. I met you yesterday (Mon, 6/30/08) while touring your museum and was struck by your down-to-earth personality and humbleness. What a pleasant surprise to have you, Gary Marlon Suson, America's Photographer for Sept 11 there, and I feel fortunate to have met you. Thank you for establishing this museum and for risking your life at Ground Zero during that horrendously tragic day in history. What touched me most about your workshop was the human elements, such as camaraderie amongst rescue teams, complete strangers, volunteers (and even the 'canine variety' and their touching stories). Not to mention, your keen spiritual observations incorporated throughout the exhibits (i.e. the iron crosses, stopped clock, Bible verse, lone haggard teddy bear and the significance you gave to it; America dusting itself off and trudging onward to honor and protect our country. The fact that your camera focused in and captured raw human emotion was outstanding, particularly the devastating sorrow in people's eyes and during individuals solitary moments of prayer & reflection. Heard this quote on a Good Morning America this a.m. on a piece about a woman who survived a family tragedy where her brother killed their parents: 'Trauma tends to freeze people.' May the Ground Zero Museum Workshop live on to memorialize the thousands of people who lost their lives on September 11, but also to help ease suffering of the victims families, friends and fellow Americans who are left behind. Such as, the story about your saving the metal panel of the plane that hit the World Trade Center and giving a small piece of it to a victim's family member is a perfect example of your heroism. It was a pleasure to meet you Gary, and I look forward to reading your book that I purchased yesterday and will most definitely share it with others. Sincerely, Jill PS Our tour guide was also excellent so please thank her for us, as well. (forgot her name but she is the Rachael Ray look-a-like). : )

Biggest little museum definately fits the Ground Zero Museum and Workshop. Everything about this one room museum has a big impact. It was very moving but not in a way where you felt too heavy when you left. I was impressed with the stories of people coming together in the rescue/recovery efforts and that the focus was on this. My nephews, ages 16yrs and 19yrs were also moved and full of questions. Taking them there sparked some very good and important conversations and I think it even brought us closer together as a family.

I didn't exactly know what to expect purchasing these tickets. I knew I wanted to go, but I had no idea the museum would touch my heart the way it did. I must admit, it is a small space; not very big at all. But all of the stories, artifacts, and pictures it entails makes such a small room seem so big. I walked out with a different perspective, giving new meaning to September 11, 2001. It was an unforgettable experience, and one i would recommend to all of those interested in learning more about 9/11.

THE WORKSHOP WAS WONDERFUL. VERY MOVING. SINCE SO MANY OF US JUST WATCHED ON TV, THIS REALLY BROUGHT IT HOME. BEING ABLE TO SEE ACTUAL PIECES OF THE GLASS AND SUCH WAS MEMORABLE. HAVE ALREADY TOLD ANYONE THAT IF THEY GET TO NYC, THEY MUST SEE GROUND ZERO MUSEUM WORKSHOP. WHAT GARY HAS DONE AND IS STILL DOING IS VERY COMMENDABLE.

Upon entry I was concerned about the smallness of the facility, but quickly realized and felt the reasoning behind the setting. There are many little stories which allowed us to get a real understanding of the experience. A few of the stories and items shown are eerie and symbolic which makes the exhibit even better then expected. Gary Suson has done a wonderful job creating an environment and setting which allows the patron to bring children who can get a true feeling of the events while getting a feeling of hope for the good that came out of that horrible day. The entire gallery is appropriate for children that are of the age to understand what happened on 9/11. I hope you all enjoy as much as we did!

Our visit was highlighted by the fact that Gary Suson was actually there and gave us very personal insight into all the photographs and artifacts recovered from Ground Zero. All displays and photos are easily identified and keyed to a personal audio device that allows everyone to move through the museum at their own pace. Each photograph has a unique story and the visit was a very moving experience. I would recommend it to anyone except very young children.

The Ground Zero Museum enlighted me on aspects of 9/11 that I never thought about before. My heart was very heavy as I listened to the stories behind the pictures. I have a whole new perspective and respect for the survivors of 9/11. Gary did an excellent job in capturing the emotions and events of that tragic day.

It is very difficult to find. We almost wondered if it was a legitimate place. You have to ring a bell and go to the second story of a building to find it. I thought it would explain the events of 9-11 and have pictures of that day. It was all about the recovery starting in November of 2001. So no pictures of the actual day it happend. There are about 100 items or pictures all in a little studio room and you walk around listening to a description of them. If I had known that I would not have gone. It was good to go to but I wish we would have gone to the actual ground zero visitors center. If you go to this just remember that it is of the recovery and it is very small. I would say this is good but also go to the visitor's center at the site. If you don't have a lot of time in New York this may be something that you hold off on. We had 2 days and I felt like we could have spent our time better.

You hear a lot about 9/11 but nothing as uplifting and eye opening as this. The experience changed a lot of the outlook I had for this day. You can touch artifacts and put stories with faces. I know a lot of times I watched the news and wondered how much of the story are we really getting. This museum will tell you the full story with faces and names. Please dont be skeptical about it's size. It isnt about the size of the room, but the impact of what it holds.

I really enjoyed the close intimate setting on this museum.