The centerpiece of the Memorial is a 2,200-pound steel beam recovered from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The beam is raised, pointing southeast toward New York City and held in place by a sculpture that is an abstract representation of the Twin Towers.
The steel support structure that holds the beam is an abstract representation of the Twin Towers.
The World Trade Center steel beam is anchored to a pentagon-shaped limestone foundation, a tribute to the Pentagon, which was also attacked on September 11th, 2001. Each point of the foundation is oriented toward one of the five learning stations.
The teaching podium bases have been fashioned to remind people of the tridents that were the signature architectural element at the bases of the Twin Towers.
The Southeast Learning Station educates visitors about the flight paths and timeline of the terrorist attacks.
The “Ascension” sculpture, designed by Susan Falkman, memorializes the fallen and honors the first responders at the Twin Towers.
The Northwest Learning Station teaches visitors about the events of September 11th and those who were killed in the attacks.
The Clematis Trellis Towers are representative of the World Trade Center Towers. Sweet Autumn Clematis blooms in September—perfectly timed to the events of September 11th.
The engraving, “NO DAY SHALL ERASE YOU FROM THE MEMORY OF TIME,” is a famous quote from Virgil and is also displayed in the 9/11 Memorial & Museum in New York.
The Survivor Tree, a gift from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, is a seedling from the Callery pear tree, which survived the attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City. This 9/11 Memorial Survivor Tree Seedling is a living reminder of resilience, survival, and rebirth.
The learning centers are ringed by red granite, Wisconsin’s state stone. Surrounding the granite is a ring of Callery pear trees, a reflection of the Survivor Tree seedling.
The Veterans’ Area pays tribute to Washington County veterans who served in the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard. A memorial bench honors Kewaskum native Einor Ingman Jr., a Korean War Medal of Honor recipient.
A single swamp white oak tree is planted 754 inches from the center of the Memorial, the same number of miles that exist between New York City and Kewaskum.
Memorial Milestones
The 2,200-pound steel beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center arrives in Kewaskum.
The site for the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center was approved to be situated in front of the Kewaskum Municipal Building Annex, located at 1308 Fond du Lac Ave. in Kewaskum, Wis.
The Kewaskum Village Board approved the concept plan for the Memorial.
The Washington County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution designating the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial as the official memorial in Washington County to commemorate the terrorist attacks.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Memorial.
Wisconsin Act 20 was signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers, designating the portion of State Highway 28 between Interstate 41 and State Highway 144 as the "Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial Highway."
The dedication and grand opening ceremony of the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center was held.
