Oklahoma City National Memorial, History museum and national memorial in downtown Oklahoma City, United States
Oklahoma City National Memorial is a history museum and memorial site in downtown Oklahoma City that includes a shallow reflecting pool with nine rows of bronze seats on either side. The space extends across several city blocks and also contains an elm that stood in front of the former federal building.
The memorial site was created two years after the 1995 bombing that killed 168 people and injured hundreds more. The accompanying museum opened in 2000 and documents the events of the day and the rescue effort that followed.
Visitors often leave small objects at individual bronze seats, creating a space for personal remembrance within the urban setting. The elm is known as the Survivor Tree because it withstood the explosion and now serves as a living symbol of resilience.
The outdoor area remains accessible around the clock and works for both a brief visit and longer reflection. The museum offers additional exhibits and educational programs that are available only during regular opening hours.
Two bronze gates mark the moment of the attack and show the times 9:01 and 9:03, the minute before and after the explosion. Each seat bears the name of one person, with smaller seats representing children and larger ones representing adults.
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