President Barack Obama is in New York this morning to attend the dedication ceremony at the National September 11 Memorial Museum. The museum is opening to the public next week, but survivors, victims’ families and first responders will get a week-long preview.

In addition to Obama, current New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is set to speak, notes The Wall Street Journal. Former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie are also among the scheduled speakers.

The museum is built into the foundation at the World Trade Center, where the Twin Towers stood. According to The Associated Press, there are images of horror - from the buildings crumbling to people jumping from windows - throughout the museum. The museum has “early exits” in several areas as well, in case visitors become too overwhelmed by emotion to continue. Still, there are artifacts dedicated to the heroes of that day.

“You won't walk out of this museum without a feeling that you understand humanity in a deeper way,” museum President Joe Daniels told the AP.

Today’s ceremony will take place near the “Last Column” is on display. It is the last standing piece of the World Trade Center, although it had to be moved in 2002. The Young People's Chorus of New York City and New York Philharmonic musicians will also perform.

The museum has been in the works for a decade, but before the 12th anniversary of the attacks, officials said they were finally ready to open this spring. Still, the WSJ notes that there is some question over the museum’s $63 million annual budget, as officials are hoping to get federal funding from Congress. Tickets, which will cost $24, is expected to cover part of it, with private donations also helping.

Nevertheless, today will be a powerful and emotional day at the museum.

“When I saw it in completion it actually floored me,” Paula Berry, whose husband died in the attacks, told the New York Daily News. “It's extraordinarily hard. It's going to be hard for family members to see and re-experience that day.”

image via 9/11 Memorial