Artifacts from ground zero get a preview at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York. Among them is a cross made out of steel from the World Trade Center in the 2001 attacks. The museum opened in 2014.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Artifacts from ground zero get a preview at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York. Among them is a cross made out of steel from the World Trade Center in the 2001 attacks. The museum opened in 2014.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
A destroyed New York City Fire Department ambulance from ground zero is on display.
9/11 memorial and museum —
A destroyed New York City Fire Department ambulance from ground zero is on display.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Cards, patches and mementos of those killed at ground zero -- single objects convey the tragedy of that day, the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Cards, patches and mementos of those killed at ground zero -- single objects convey the tragedy of that day, the deadliest terrorist attack on American soil.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
An American flag was recovered from the World Trade Center site.
9/11 memorial and museum —
An American flag was recovered from the World Trade Center site.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
Pieces of American Airlines Flight 11 are on display. The plane plowed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Pieces of American Airlines Flight 11 are on display. The plane plowed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center at 8:46 a.m. on September 11, 2001.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
The remains of a New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 3 truck are on display outside the historical exhibition area. Eleven members of Ladder 3 died when the North Tower crumbled.
9/11 memorial and museum —
The remains of a New York City Fire Department Ladder Company 3 truck are on display outside the historical exhibition area. Eleven members of Ladder 3 died when the North Tower crumbled.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
Helmets worn by firefighters on September 11, including those of Christian Waugh, were donated by families.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Helmets worn by firefighters on September 11, including those of Christian Waugh, were donated by families.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
A photograph at the memorial shows one of the World Trade Center towers collapsing after the attack.
9/11 memorial and museum —
A photograph at the memorial shows one of the World Trade Center towers collapsing after the attack.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
The symbolic "Last Column," right, a steel beam from one of the towers, stands near the "slurry wall," left, which holds back the Hudson River waters.
9/11 memorial and museum —
The symbolic "Last Column," right, a steel beam from one of the towers, stands near the "slurry wall," left, which holds back the Hudson River waters.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images
A firefighter shirt from ground zero is on view.
9/11 memorial and museum —
A firefighter shirt from ground zero is on view.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
The wedge-shaped pavilion entrance of the museum, center, is located between the square outlines of the memorial waterfalls at the World Trade Center.
9/11 memorial and museum —
The wedge-shaped pavilion entrance of the museum, center, is located between the square outlines of the memorial waterfalls at the World Trade Center.
Mark Lennihan/AP
A visitor to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum takes in the sight.
9/11 memorial and museum —
A visitor to the National September 11 Memorial & Museum takes in the sight.
Mary Altaffer
A rose is placed next to the name of a victim of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center at the North Pool of the memorial.
9/11 memorial and museum —
A rose is placed next to the name of a victim of the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center at the North Pool of the memorial.
Mary Altaffer/AP
Part of the World Trade Center's original foundation, left, and the last column removed from the WTC site, center, are covered in a protective wrap during construction of the museum.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Part of the World Trade Center's original foundation, left, and the last column removed from the WTC site, center, are covered in a protective wrap during construction of the museum.
Mary Altaffe/AP
The "Cross," made of intersecting steel beams found in the rubble of 6 World Trade Center, and a fragment of a trident column, center, one of 84 that formed the exterior structure of each tower, are prepared for display.
9/11 memorial and museum —
The "Cross," made of intersecting steel beams found in the rubble of 6 World Trade Center, and a fragment of a trident column, center, one of 84 that formed the exterior structure of each tower, are prepared for display.
Mary Altaffer/AP
The original stairway from the World Trade Center Plaza to Vesey Street, left, is seen at the museum.
9/11 memorial and museum —
The original stairway from the World Trade Center Plaza to Vesey Street, left, is seen at the museum.
Mary Altaffer
Contractors work to finish construction of the memorial and museum.
9/11 memorial and museum —
Contractors work to finish construction of the memorial and museum.
Mary Altaffer
One World Trade Center rises above the lower Manhattan skyline in New York.
9/11 memorial and museum —
One World Trade Center rises above the lower Manhattan skyline in New York.
Mark Lennihan/AP