Newseum WTC antenna photo by afagen

Slated to open on September 11, 2011, construction on the National September 11 Memorial & Museum on the grounds of the World Trade Center is currently underway. Residents in the District have an opportunity to contribute to the construction in an early christening event: a steal beam–signing ceremony.

On Friday, Mayor Fenty and representatives from the September 11 Memorial & Museum will gather at the Newseum at 10 a.m. to invite citizens to sign steel beams that will be used in the building’s construction. First responders and members of the Pentagon Memorial Fund and the Flight 93 National Memorial will be on hand as well.

The National September 11 Memorial & Museum has trucked its steel to 27 cities in 27 states, gathering tens of thousands of signatures. Participants are also invited to draft “Notes of Hope,” which will be included in the museum.