Oklahoma City Memorial

We walked over to the memorial and I was immediately taken back by it. By far one of the most intriguing and worthwhile things we did in Oklahoma.

 

  

The Chain Link Fence

 The first Fence was installed to protect the site of the Murrah Building. Almost immediately, people began to leave tokens of love and hope on the Fence. Those items now total more than 60,000 and are collected and preserved in our archives. Today, more than 200 feet of the original Fence gives people the opportunity to leave tokens of remembrance and hope.

 

Entrance through Robinson Avenue into the 9:01 gate

 

 

The view of the memorial when we first walked in. I started the cell phone tour.

The Reflecting Pool

The pool occupies what was once N.W. Fifth Street. Here, a shallow depth of gently flowing water helps soothe wounds, with calming sounds providing a peaceful setting for quiet thoughts. The placid surface shows the reflection of someone changed forever by their visit to the Memorial.

  

The Field of Empty Chairs

The 168 chairs represent the lives taken on April 19, 1995. They stand in nine rows to represent each floor of the building, and each chair bears the name of someone killed on that floor. Nineteen smaller chairs stand for the children. The field is located on the footprint of the Murrah Building.

  

The 9:03 Gate

 

The 9:01 Gate

 

These monumental twin gates frame the moment of destruction – 9:02 a.m. – and mark the formal entrances to the Memorial. The East Gate represents 9:01 a.m. on April 19, and the innocence of the city before the attack. The West Gate represents 9:03 a.m., the moment we were changed forever, and the hope that came from the horror in the moments and days following the bombing.

The Methodist Church across the street fromt the Murrah  building. The impact of the explosion itself shattered the round window with stained glass.

  

The explosion was also felt on the other side where a baptist church is and shattered their window also.

  

We then went to the Memorial Museum area and walked around there, then into the museum. No pictures are allowed in the museum.

In front of the museum is the Children's area.

In the aftermath of the blast, children from around the country and the world sent in their own expressions of encouragement and love. That care is represented today by a wall of tiles painted by children and sent to Oklahoma City in 1995. In addition, buckets of chalk and chalkboards built into the ground of the Children's Area give children a place where they can continue to share their feelings -- an important component of the healing process.

  

The Survivor Tree

The Survivor Tree, an American Elm, bore witness to the violence of April 19, 1995, and withstood the full force of the attack. Years later, it continues to stand as a living symbol of resilience. The circular promontory surrounding the tree offers a place for gathering and viewing the Memorial.

  

This message was written back in 95 during the rescue time on the wall of the Journal Record building.

It's so neat that it's still there.

  

  

We ran out of time in the museum because they were closing. We ran out of time right at the trial part, and I really wanted to see that part. We just lost track of time.

  

We then walked around a little bit more and waited until dusk to see the lights.

Each chair lights up and so do the gates. It's just beautiful at night.

 

 

I think this was our favorite stop in Oklahoma City and the attractions that are there. I would highly recommend a quick trip there to see it. I'd like to go back during late spring and see the tree full and the grass green.

Memorial Symbolism excerpt taken from here