Shoes
Photo credit: David Burnhauser
Accession Number: C.2017.20.1
Dimensions: 5 in X 5 in X 11 in
Dimensions (Metric): 12.7 cm X 12.7 cm X 27.94 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 12.7 cm X 12.7 cm X 27.94 cm
Source: Jin-Sup Lee
Credit Line: Gift of Jin-Sup Lee
Description
Pair of Reebok size 9 men's running shoes. The shoes are white with red accents but are completely covered in dust and dried mud. The laces are still tied.
Pair of Reebok size 9 men's running shoes. The shoes are white with red accents but are completely covered in dust and dried mud. The laces are still tied.
Historical Notes
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Jin-Sup Lee was covering Fashion Week at Bryant Park for the Staten Island Advance. He had with him his photography equipment as well as a step ladder he brought to help shoot within the crowded media areas. Lee wore a brand-new pair of Reebok gym sneakers that morning. Upon hearing from another photojournalist that the North Tower had been hit by a plane, Lee rode a train downtown to take photos for this breaking news story. Lee arrived at the emergency scene around 9:45 a.m. and was able to shelter safely in a deli during the collapse of the South Tower and an empty bus during the collapse of the North Tower. Lee stayed in the area to take photos around the World Trade Center until noon, when he finally evacuated north. He was unable to return home to Staten Island until the evening of Wednesday, September 12th.
At first, Lee held onto his Reebok gym shoes because they were newly bought, and he thought it would be wasteful to throw them out. He soon recognized that the events of 9/11 had left a deep mark on him, so he decided to keep his dust-covered shoes as a reminder of his experience. Lee eventually became a staff photographer at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum for several years. He donated his shoes in 2016.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, Jin-Sup Lee was covering Fashion Week at Bryant Park for the Staten Island Advance. He had with him his photography equipment as well as a step ladder he brought to help shoot within the crowded media areas. Lee wore a brand-new pair of Reebok gym sneakers that morning. Upon hearing from another photojournalist that the North Tower had been hit by a plane, Lee rode a train downtown to take photos for this breaking news story. Lee arrived at the emergency scene around 9:45 a.m. and was able to shelter safely in a deli during the collapse of the South Tower and an empty bus during the collapse of the North Tower. Lee stayed in the area to take photos around the World Trade Center until noon, when he finally evacuated north. He was unable to return home to Staten Island until the evening of Wednesday, September 12th.
At first, Lee held onto his Reebok gym shoes because they were newly bought, and he thought it would be wasteful to throw them out. He soon recognized that the events of 9/11 had left a deep mark on him, so he decided to keep his dust-covered shoes as a reminder of his experience. Lee eventually became a staff photographer at the 9/11 Memorial & Museum for several years. He donated his shoes in 2016.
