1975 Pair of Official World Trade Center Observation Deck Brochures
Printed decades before the attacks of September 11, these official World Trade Center brochures preserve a hopeful vision of the Twin Towers that history would ultimately transform into one of America's most poignant symbols. The World Trade Center had scarcely become an icon before these two brochures invited visitors to experience it firsthand. Issued by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey during the 1970s, they capture the Twin Towers at the height of their optimism, presenting the complex not only as the world's tallest buildings but as New York City's newest destination. Viewed together today, they preserve an evocative portrait of the World Trade Center decades before it became one of the most significant historic sites in modern American history. The Closest Some of Us Will Ever Get to Heaven The first brochure is the more memorable of the pair, opening with the unforgettable slogan, "The Closest Some of Us Will Ever Get to Heaven." Intended simply as a clever advertisement for the Observation Deck, the phrase has taken on an unintended poignancy since the events of September 11, 2001. A dramatic aerial photograph fills the cover, while the interior unfolds into a panoramic, labeled view from the top of the South Tower accompanied by visitor information, nearby attractions, and details about the restaurants, shopping, and public art that made the World Trade Center a destination in its own right. Welcome to the World Trade Center The companion brochure complements the first by introducing visitors to the complex and its surroundings. A striking cover photograph presents the completed Twin Towers rising above Lower Manhattan, while the reverse unfolds into an ingenious circular viewing guide designed to recreate the experience of standing atop the Observation Deck. Four panoramic photographs radiate outward from the towers at the center, creating the remarkable illusion of looking down over New York City from one of the world's tallest buildings. Numbered landmarks identify the skyline, waterways, bridges, and neighborhoods visible in every direction, while a simplified downtown map and descriptions of nearby attractions present the World Trade Center as both New York's premier observation point and the gateway to Lower Manhattan. Issued during the Twin Towers' formative years, these brochures capture a brief moment when the World Trade Center symbolized the future of American architecture, commerce, and tourism. Their bold photography, distinctive 1970s graphic design, and optimistic messaging stand in powerful and moving contrast to the events of September 11, 2001, which forever transformed both the skyline and the public's perception of the complex. Preserved as a pair, they provide an authentic record of the experience of visiting the original Observation Deck, preserving panoramic views and a perspective of New York City that will never be seen again.