Photo credit: Conservation staff
Accession Number: C.2024.13.1
Dimensions: 7 in X 8 in X 11 2/3 in
Dimensions (Metric): 17.78 cm X 20.32 cm X 27.94 cm
Credit Line: Gift of Hector Soto, Jr.
Description
Plastic hard hat with cap-style brim and interior ratchet suspension. The hard hat is orange with the MTA logo on the front and "NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT | SERVICE DELIVERY" printed on the right side and "RAPID | TRANSIT | OPERATIONS" printed on the back. The hat is scuffed and scratched throughout.
Historical Notes
The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) Local 100 represents thousands of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) employees. These workers include subway and bus operators, station and ticketing agents, equipment and infrastructure maintainers, and cleaners.
On and after 9/11, about 3,000 union members deployed to the World Trade Center. Many searched for victims. Transit operators drove thousands to safety and shuttled responders to the site. Machine operators cut beams and cleared rubble to create pathways. In damaged subway tunnels, cleaners removed dust and debris while maintainers restored services.
TWU Local 100 members assisted at Ground Zero throughout the nine-month rescue and recovery period.