What Is Oklahoma City National Memorial?
Oklahoma City National Memorial commemorates the awful 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building!
What Makes It Historical?
The bombing of April 19, 1995 was not what one would usually call beautiful; 168 people lost their lives to a single blast at 9:01 AM. The beauty of the memorial, though, is in how those lives are remembered. 168 chairs for the deceased are aligned on a lawn overlooking a glassy reflecting pool, which stretches between 9:01 and 9:03. Two minutes to ruin a morning and tarnish a city.
Not all was lost, though, as a granite wall commemorates those who survived, and the “Survivor Tree,” an American elm which endured the blast, still stands as a monument to resilience! Surrounding the elm, the trees of the Rescuers Orchard honor the first responders who arrived on the scene to help.
Inside the museum, the original recording of a Water Board meeting plays overhead until it’s suddenly and jarringly interrupted by an explosion. Artifacts of offices—mugs, calendars, and clocks—are on display, and the exhibit takes visitors through the rescue efforts all the way to finding and convicting those who were responsible. It’s a humbling place and an important reminder to be on the lookout for signs of domesic terrorism!
How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?
- Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
- Volunteer at the Oklahoma City National Memorial!
- Donate to the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum!
- Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!
How Do I Get There?
620 N Harvey Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
(Take Me There!)
When Should I Visit the Park?
Visit the outdoor part of the memorial any time you like, but to enter the museum, you’ll want to visit between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM, Monday through Saturday, or 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM on Sundays!
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