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Douglas Menarchik, director of the George Bush Presidential Library, shows Katherine Armstrong a steel gerder from the World Trade Center Thursday night. The twisted steel will be on display in the Bush Library rotunda until Nov. 14. (Photo by EVAN O´CONNELL / THE BATTALION )

WTC steel structural beam comes to Bush Library

By: Lacy Ledford

Posted: 9/10/04

A steel structural beam from the World Trade Center made its way to the George Bush Presidential Library Museum on Wednesday and will go on display Saturday as part of the museum's new "Commemorating September 11" exhibit.

The exhibit, on display through Nov. 14, is part of a special ceremony open to the public on the morning of Sept. 11. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and the ceremony will begin at 9 a.m.

The World Trade Center beam was donated through efforts of the Texas Engineering Extension Service's national urban search and rescue team, Texas Task Force 1.

More than a year ago, representatives from the Bush Museum told the Director of Emergency Response and Rescue for the Texas Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) Bob McKee that they wanted to display a piece of World Trade Center steel.

"McKee worked with his contacts within the New York City Police Department and the New York mayor's office, as large pieces of steel from the World Trade Center became increasingly difficult to obtain," said TEEX Communications Director Jason Cook.

Cook said that after many months, McKee obtained the steel on behalf of the Bush Museum, arranged for its transportation to College Station and then coordinated the display of the steel.

"There was no charge for the steel, only the cost of shipping," said Bush Library Public Relations Specialist Brian Blake. "It cost $3,000 to have the piece shipped here, and that was paid for by the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley."

The beam, weighing in excess of 2,000 pounds, has been prepared with a protective coating that will allow visitors to touch it.

"We are a historical museum," said Director of the Bush Library Douglas Menarchik. "It is our purpose to bring history alive so you can touch, feel, smell and see it."

The steel beam is among many other items included in the exhibit. Photographs, respirators, pieces of uniforms and common tools used by search teams at the World Trade Center will also be part of the exhibit.

Before being deployed to the World Trade Center site to aid in recovery efforts after the Sept. 11 attacks, Texas Task Force 1 received a teddy bear from children affected by the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that will be included in the exhibit.

"There was a note attached saying (the children) had received comfort from the bear and hoped we would too," Cook said.

Menarchik said he thinks this is going to be a powerful exhibit that will receive a powerful response from the Brazos Valley.

"Americans have an attachment to this piece for what it represents," Menarchik said. "People will want to come here and touch a piece of their 21st century."

Menarchik said that after the exhibit is taken down from the Bush Library, it will be handed over to Texas Task Force I.

"They will keep the steel stored until it is ready and prepared to be put on permanent display at the College Station Veterans Memorial Park next year," Menarchik said.