Traffic Light
Photo credit: Jin S. Lee
Accession Number: C.2021.43.1
Dimensions: 10 in X 12 in X 6.5 in
Dimensions (Metric): 25.4 cm X 30.48 cm X 16.51 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 25.4 cm X 30.48 cm X 16.51 cm
Source: Christopher Barrett
Credit Line: Gift of the Barrett family
Description
Traffic light. The body of the light is dark yellow with dark glass and "WORLD | TRADE | CENTER | PARKING | GARAGE" printed on the glass, indicating the traffic signal/warning. The light behind the glass appears dark yellow. There is a crack in the body near the light's upper right corner, and its backside is scuffed and scratched.
Traffic light. The body of the light is dark yellow with dark glass and "WORLD | TRADE | CENTER | PARKING | GARAGE" printed on the glass, indicating the traffic signal/warning. The light behind the glass appears dark yellow. There is a crack in the body near the light's upper right corner, and its backside is scuffed and scratched.
Historical Notes
On February 26, 1993, terrorists drove a van loaded with explosives into the public parking garage beneath the World Trade Center. They escaped in a car before their homemade urea nitrate bomb exploded minutes later, at 12:18 p.m. Six adults were killed, including a pregnant woman. The terrorists’ mission to destroy the towers failed.
The garage was repaired but never reopened for public parking. It is assumed that this traffic light was situated at the top of the ramp on West Street, probably flashing, to warn drivers that the lane was only an entrance to subgrade parking garage at the World Trade Center.
On February 26, 1993, terrorists drove a van loaded with explosives into the public parking garage beneath the World Trade Center. They escaped in a car before their homemade urea nitrate bomb exploded minutes later, at 12:18 p.m. Six adults were killed, including a pregnant woman. The terrorists’ mission to destroy the towers failed.
The garage was repaired but never reopened for public parking. It is assumed that this traffic light was situated at the top of the ramp on West Street, probably flashing, to warn drivers that the lane was only an entrance to subgrade parking garage at the World Trade Center.
Curator's Comment
This light was purchased by the Barrett family from an antique dealer in Connecticut. It was procured ca.1997-1998 as décor for their then-teenaged son’s bedroom. The antique dealer included with the purchase a New York Times newspaper from February 27, 1993. It is unclear why this was included in the purchase, but it may have been a way of authenticating that the traffic light’s damage resulted from proximity to the 1993 WTC bombing.
HIDE
This light was purchased by the Barrett family from an antique dealer in Connecticut. It was procured ca.1997-1998 as décor for their then-teenaged son’s bedroom. The antique dealer included with the purchase a New York Times newspaper from February 27, 1993. It is unclear why this was included in the purchase, but it may have been a way of authenticating that the traffic light’s damage resulted from proximity to the 1993 WTC bombing.
HIDE
