New York residents will now have free admission to the September 11 Memorial & Museum every Sunday afternoon, thanks to a newly allocated $2.2 million state grant announced by Governor Kathy Hochul. This expansion of the free-admission program is set to begin in October.
The museum previously offered free entry on the first Sunday of each month through its "First Sundays" program, which was initially funded by the Andrew Carnegie Foundation. The new state funding will extend this opportunity to all Sundays throughout the year for individuals who live or study in New York.
"The events of 9/11 and those we lost that day should never be forgotten and every New Yorker, especially those too young to remember the attacks, should have the opportunity to visit the 9/11 Memorial Museum," Hochul stated. "By expanding New York First Sundays to include every Sunday throughout the year, we are ensuring that more New Yorkers can experience the Museum, honor those we lost, and reflect on the courage, resilience and unity that sustained our state and our nation on one of our darkest days."
The museum, located on eight acres of the World Trade Center site, serves to remember and honor the 2,983 lives lost in the 2001 and 1993 terror attacks. Beth Hillman, President & CEO of the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, expressed gratitude for the state's support, noting that the expansion will allow thousands more New Yorkers to visit and connect with the sense of community felt after the attacks.