9/11 Museum To Charge Mandatory Entrance Fee
The National September 11th Memorial and Museum in lower Manhattan at the site of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks has become one of New York City's most popular attractions.
When the underground museum opens in April 2014, visitors will have to pay a mandatory entrance fee.
The Board of Directors for the 9/11 Memorial & Museum voted to instate the fee, sparking anger among victims' family members.
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The board did not decide on a specific amount, but a spokesman for the museum told the New York Daily News the expected range will be $20-$25.
“We’re still in the process of considering how much, but it will be in the range of $20 to $25,” museum spokesman Anthony Guido said Friday. “It will be a set fee.”
Jim Riches, whose son died in the attacks, told NY1 he is outraged.
"It's become a real commercial enterprise and it looks like that," Riches said. "We think it's disgusting and revolting. If they had a suggested donation I think all Americans would be very patriotic."
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The outdoor portion of the memorial, featuring two inverted fountains at the site of the former World Trade Center towers, has been and will continue to be open to visitors for free. However, there is a $2 service fee for online reservations.
New Jersey firefighter Steve Parker told NY1 there should be an exception for those who lost loved ones on 9/11.
"Maybe give out an annual pass or something to those who actually lost family members and they can actually get in free of charge," Parker said.
The museum and memorial are run by a non-profit organization and funded through donations.
In a statement to NY1, the museum said, "As a nonprofit organization that relies on the support of the public, not city, state or federal funding for our operations, we are exploring an admission fee in line with other comparable institutions."
The museum will feature a memorial wall where visitors can see photos of and learn about each person who died on 9/11. It will also house artifacts from Ground Zero, including damaged emergency response vehicles and a section of the 350-foot antenna that was once atop of the north tower of the World Trade Center.
The Los Angeles Times reports when the museum opens in April 2014, it is expected to draw 2.5 million visitors annually.
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