Jane Field's ex-husband called her from the 83rd floor on 9/11 to tell her he was okay and would be home shortly. He and his coworkers escaped through fire.
Amateur rock climber George Willig scaled the south tower in 1977. He was arrested when he reached the top, but his stunt generated such a positive response that the city only fined him $1.10--a penny for each story he climbed. This clip includes…
For an interview on NPR's Fresh Air on September 21, 2001, the Director of the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council, Liz Thompson, talks about the council's role in encouraging the arts at the WTC. The LMCC offices were in 5 WTC, and a number of their…
As an 18 year old, Randy Horne’s first ironworking job was working for his father on the World Trade Center. He reflects on what it was like to be lowered over the side of the World Trade Center, 45 stories in the air.
Stephen Vitiello was one of the artists in residency at the WTC. He made Ambient Sound recordings of the building. This one was recorded from the 91st floor of Tower One. It was exhibited as a surround sound installation at the 2002 Whitney…
The World Trade Center and especially its antenna occupied an important place in the imagination of Brad Bonaparte and his partner, Andy Jacobs. Brad spoke about his dream of getting work on the top of the WTC and how he came to finally stand on the…
Steve Vitiello, one of the artists in residence at the WTC World Views Program, made ambient sound recordings of the building. He discusses figuring out the technology for his project and explains that, once he did that, he felt more in tune with the…
Bob and Barbara Krutzel were married at Windows on the World in 1976. They recorded the ceremony with a little tape recorder. They then discuss why they did so.
Lucien Samaha was a Dj for nighttime parties at Windows on the World for many years. This audio was taken from video shot at one of his parties, with what he describes as a very "international crowd". It features rambunctious revelers exiting the…
Pianist Ernie Scott used to play regularly at Windows on the World. In this recording from December 16, 2001, he plays the classic tune "New York, New York" and relives the moment of playing there.
Tilman Reitzle had always been dazzled by the sights and sounds of rush hour at the WTC. Finally, on June 27, 1986--a Friday--he brought his SONY ProWalkman. That evening, he stood on the platform of the PATH train to record the white noise of crowd…
Elisa Karp's audio journal--"a New York Everyman's Journal"--documents her experience at home on Manhattan's Upper East Side on September 11. She kept her tape recorder rolling as she made telephone calls and exchanged instant messages with friends…
French aerialist Philippe Petit caused a sensation in New York City in 1974 when he walked a tightrope stretched between the two towers. In this radio segment, recorded in 1978, he describes what he heard while crossing the high wire.
Classical guitarist Andrew Schulman's first regular gig was at the WTC. His composition "Molly's Dance" was recorded live in June 2001 for a program hosted by John Schaefer on WNYC.
Two young hiphop artists, Colin Travers and Eric Minor made a three minute dedication piece sampled from news clips. It is being played on WKCR. They poured their hearts into their piece "RIP WTC." Colin grew up in Brooklyn Heights and witnessed the…