9-11 Memorial Trident, Oceana Naval Station

The trident is an architectural feature from the North Tower of the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City, NY, which was destroyed on September 11, 2001. In 2011 it was installed in a memorial garden adjacent to the Dam Neck Annex of the Oceana Naval Air Station. It stands in the rear of the garden alongside several other memorial artifacts from different origins.

In 2022 EverGreene conservators were retained by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to perform an updated conditions assessment in preparation for treatments. In 2023, following the assessment, the Trident was given a thorough cleaning; it was vacuumed to remove any trapped debris and free drain-holes of obstructions, and given a rinse to remove any loose surface sediment. Areas of scaling noted during the conditions assessment were removed down to stable surfaces. Cavities, which trapped water and led to excessive localized deterioration of the steel, were infilled with a high-strength concrete mix and treated to facilitate drainage away from the monument. Areas of noted paint loss and delamination were consolidated. Corrosion inhibitors were applied to the surface to mitigate further deterioration of the metal and given a final rinse to remove excess product.

Our conservators gave recommendations for continued maintenance to ensure the longevity of conservation treatments.