Preserving History

Every day, thousands of people drive right past it, a plain-looking building nestled amongst other aviation-related structures on the west side of the Van Wyck entrance to John F. Kennedy International Airport, just a few miles from lower Manhattan. Some of the older aviation buffs might recall that it was once the site of operations for Pan American World Airways and, more recently, Tower Air. Most of the people speeding past the rather unremarkable building have no idea of its importance. But for the small number of people who have had the privilege to step inside, the visit has been awe-inspiring and often has a profound impact on their lives. For inside Hangar 17, are painstakingly catalogued, meticulously maintained, and lovingly cared for artifacts recovered from the World Trade Center.