Building of the Memorial

More Than a Memorial

Gordon Haberman, whose daughter, Andrea, was killed in the 9/11 attacks at the World Trade Center, worked together with other community members—Jerry Gosa, a close family member and Kewaskum High School teacher; Larry Ammel, a retired Kewaskum High School teacher and president of the Kewaskum Area Arts Council; and Matt Heiser, Kewaskum village administrator—to procure an artifact to be used for a 9/11 memorial in Kewaskum, Wis. After a lengthy process, the Kewaskum Area Arts Council was awarded a section of I-beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center to be used in a public memorial. The 2,200-pound steel beam arrived in Kewaskum in August 2014. 

Memorial Milestones

Aug 3, 2014
Steel Arrives
Journey Complete
A loader is removing the steel beam from a trailer.

The 2,200-pound steel beam from the North Tower of the World Trade Center arrives in Kewaskum. 

Aug 28, 2017
Location Secured
A New Home
A view of the Kewaskum Municipal Building Annex site where the Memorial would soon be built.

The site for the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center was approved to be situated in front of the Kewaskum Municipal Building Annex, located at 1308 Fond du Lac Ave. in Kewaskum, Wis.

Apr 2, 2018
Village Approval
Getting the Green Light
A sketch of the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial Layout

The Kewaskum Village Board approved the concept plan for the Memorial. 

Jan 9, 2019
County Board Resolution
It's Official
Gordon Haberman and County Board Chairperson Kriefall shake hands after passing the Washington County resolution

The Washington County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution designating the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial as the official memorial in Washington County to commemorate the terrorist attacks. 

Jun 13, 2019
Groundbreaking
Shovels in the Ground
Members of the board of directors shovel dirt at the groundbreaking ceremony

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Memorial. 

Oct 31, 2019
Bill Signing
Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial Highway
Governor Tony Evers signing the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial Highway Bill into law

Wisconsin Act 20 was signed into law by Gov. Tony Evers, designating the portion of State Highway 28 between Interstate 41 and State Highway 144 as the "Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial Highway."

Jun 13, 2021
Dedication
A Day to Remember
A group gathers in front of the Memorial steel to cut the ribbon and officially open the Memorial

The dedication and grand opening ceremony of the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center was held.

Photos courtesy of Anne Trautner, Kewaskum Statesman