Folder
Photo credit: Jin S. Lee
Accession Number: C.2020.43.2
Dimensions: 10 in X 8.5 in
Dimensions (Metric): 25.4 cm X 21.59 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 25.4 cm X 21.59 cm
Sources: Gene A. Cassara, Barbara Murphy
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Cassara
Description
Photo folder with the "Top of the World Trade Center" logo printed on the front with the tagline: "NY's Theme Park in The Sky." Inside the folder is an image of the Twin Towers positioned in the lower Manhattan skyline with the Statue of Liberty in the center. On the right side is a removable print photograph of Barbara Murphy and Gene Cassara toasting glasses at the "Seal It With a Kiss on Top of the World" celebration. On the back of the folder are panoramic images of the view from the Top of the World South Tower Observation Deck.
Photo folder with the "Top of the World Trade Center" logo printed on the front with the tagline: "NY's Theme Park in The Sky." Inside the folder is an image of the Twin Towers positioned in the lower Manhattan skyline with the Statue of Liberty in the center. On the right side is a removable print photograph of Barbara Murphy and Gene Cassara toasting glasses at the "Seal It With a Kiss on Top of the World" celebration. On the back of the folder are panoramic images of the view from the Top of the World South Tower Observation Deck.
Historical Notes
According to Barbara Murphy and Gene Cassara, neither of them were looking for a long-term relationship when they met by chance at the now-closed restaurant La Maganette. On the evening of December 17, 1982, Barbara had left an office Christmas party with a girlfriend. Instead of waiting outside for the bus home, they decided to pass the time at La Maganette. Inside, she caught the eye of Gene. Barbara and Gene exchanged looks and a few words. She handed over her phone number, and the courtship began. Less than five years later, on May 23, 1987, they were married.
In January 2001, Barbara saw an advertisement in the New York Daily News that captured her attention. It was an open call to participate in the "Seal it With a Kiss on Top of the World" contest. Applicants were invited to submit an original work of prose describing the special relationship they had with their partner. Winners were to be rewarded with a wedding ceremony at the Top of the World South Tower Observation Deck at the World Trade Center. Already married, Barbara and Gene did not technically qualify. However, Barbara was—and remains today—a frequent contest entrant and fierce competitor. So when she and a girlfriend submitted their essays together only to have the friend be the only one to receive an acceptance letter, Barbara decided to take an additional step. On the winning letter was the name Jurriaan Veth, the contest coordinator. Barbara called Veth and convinced him to allow her and Gene to participate in the ceremony beside their friends, even though they would "only" be renewing their vows.
Barbara and Gene were delighted to participate in the ceremony. They recited their vows along with the other contest winners and participated in the reception. In addition to participation in the ceremony, contest winners were rewarded with professional photographs commemorating the event and an invitation to return to the Observation Deck the following year for Valentine's Day, an occasion that never arrived following the events of 9/11.
According to Barbara Murphy and Gene Cassara, neither of them were looking for a long-term relationship when they met by chance at the now-closed restaurant La Maganette. On the evening of December 17, 1982, Barbara had left an office Christmas party with a girlfriend. Instead of waiting outside for the bus home, they decided to pass the time at La Maganette. Inside, she caught the eye of Gene. Barbara and Gene exchanged looks and a few words. She handed over her phone number, and the courtship began. Less than five years later, on May 23, 1987, they were married.
In January 2001, Barbara saw an advertisement in the New York Daily News that captured her attention. It was an open call to participate in the "Seal it With a Kiss on Top of the World" contest. Applicants were invited to submit an original work of prose describing the special relationship they had with their partner. Winners were to be rewarded with a wedding ceremony at the Top of the World South Tower Observation Deck at the World Trade Center. Already married, Barbara and Gene did not technically qualify. However, Barbara was—and remains today—a frequent contest entrant and fierce competitor. So when she and a girlfriend submitted their essays together only to have the friend be the only one to receive an acceptance letter, Barbara decided to take an additional step. On the winning letter was the name Jurriaan Veth, the contest coordinator. Barbara called Veth and convinced him to allow her and Gene to participate in the ceremony beside their friends, even though they would "only" be renewing their vows.
Barbara and Gene were delighted to participate in the ceremony. They recited their vows along with the other contest winners and participated in the reception. In addition to participation in the ceremony, contest winners were rewarded with professional photographs commemorating the event and an invitation to return to the Observation Deck the following year for Valentine's Day, an occasion that never arrived following the events of 9/11.
