The Gunboat at Ground Zero: Behind-the-Scenes with Dr. Peter Fix

May 14, 2025

12 pm
South Lobby
Free

Join Dr. Peter Fix, Principal Conservator of the World Trade Center Ship and expert in Archaeological Watercraft Conservation at Texas A&M University, for a 30-minute lunchtime talk presented live in the South Lobby—where the ship is currently being reconstructed and on view to the public.

Unearthed in 2010 beneath the World Trade Center site, this Revolutionary War-era gunboat lay hidden for over two centuries beneath the Hudson River shoreline. Believed to have been built near Philadelphia in the 1770s and possibly seized by the British during the war, the vessel offers a rare glimpse into early American maritime history.

Peter will share updates on the conservation process, along with insights into the ship’s discovery, historical significance, and the meticulous work involved in bringing this 18th-century artifact back to life. Don’t miss this chance to witness history in the making and explore the connection between America’s revolutionary past and its modern-day preservation. 

Also Available on these dates:

May 28, 2025