Flight 93 Nat’l Memorial- Shanksburg, PA

The stark, almost Brutalist concrete design of the Flight 93 Memorial allows the surrounding landscape and the tragic events of September 11th to remain the focus of the park. Minimalistic, yet powerful, it perfectly reflects the solemn nature of the memorial, while celebrating the heroic actions taken by the passengers and crew of Flight 93.

Using the time honored tradition of a design competition, over 1100 entries were received for the memorial’s design. A jury of design professionals, family members and first responders chose 5 finalists; a design by Paul Murdoch Architects was ultimately selected by unanimous vote. After 14 years of planning, redesigning and construction, the memorial opened to family members on September 10, 2015. In 2018, the 93 foot “Tower of Voices,” containing 40 wind chimes, one for each person who died in the crash, was completed.

Built in a circular design, with the Visitor’s center and Wall of Names aligning with Flight 93’s path, the memorial contains a walkway that leads visitors past the field where the plane came to rest, with its approximate location marked by a bolder. Reminiscent of a Richard Serra sculpture, the monument combines built and natural elements, creating a fitting, poignant tribute to those who fought back on September 11, 2001.