WTC “Please Touch Beam” at Bush Museum En Route to College Park, Texas
Thebatt.com reports a steel structural beam from the World Trade Center is at the George (I) Bush Presidential Library Museum in preparation for its eventual relocation to Veterans Memorial Park in College Station, Texas.
The beam was donated through efforts of the Texas Engineering Extension Service’s national urban search and rescue team, Texas Task Force 1. “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. 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.
“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.