Trove of Ground Zero photos found
BY GABE HERMAN
Thousands of photos of
Ground Zero, taken in
the weeks after the 9/11
attack, were recently discovered
by chance at a house clearance
sale.
Archivists bought a group of
CD’s at the sale and stumbled
upon a collection of 2,400 photos
of Ground Zero, according
to a BBC report. The CD’s were
reportedly in bad condition,
but the photos were able to be
salvaged.
The photos are believed to
have been taken by a construction
worker at the site, who has
not yet been identifi ed. They
show stunning images of the aftermath
of the attack, including
at the World Trade Center site
and neighboring areas, such
as the Winter Garden Atrium
across the West Side Highway.
Some photos are taken at
ground level and others are
from high up on nearby buildings.
Many include construction
workers clearing rubble in
the area.
The photos have been
posted online at: fl ickr.
com/photos /text f i les /al -
bums/72157708997281912
Archivist Dr. Johnathan Burgess,
whose partner discovered
the photos, told the BBC, “Generally
these items are neglected
at sales. It’s very likely these
would be in a dumpster by now
had we not gone.”
Burgess archived the photos,
with help from a CD recovery
service, and they were released
through another archivist, Jason
Scott. Burgess added of the
discovery, “It’s a miracle the
discs transferred so well, CDROM’s
of that age are pretty
spotty.”
In terms of sharing the photos
for all to see, Burgess told
the BBC that it’s “about doing
what’s right for humanity.” He
added that those touched by the
images might think of donating
to a charity of their choosing.
Almost 3,000 people died
from the 9/11 attacks, and
many thousands more have
since been affected by 9/11-related
illnesses, from toxic dust
that lingered in the area for
months afterward. The federal
government recently extended
the 9/11 Victims Compensation
Fund permanently, after
pressure from fi rst responders
and other advocates.
COURTESY JASON SCOTT
These photos are samples of the discovered images taken in the weeks after 9/11. Both are from Oct. 5, 2001.
COURTESY JASON SCOTT
6 August 8 - August 21, 2019 DEX Schneps Media