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April 21, 2003

Alcoa and Save America's Treasures Announce Funding to Conserve the Last Original Model of World Trade Center

PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2003--

Model Will Be Showcased in New York's New Skyscraper Museum Set to Open This Fall

Alcoa announced today a $62,000 grant to Save America's Treasures at the National Trust for Historic Preservation to restore the last remaining architectural presentation model of the World Trade Center complex. This grant is part of the Alcoa Relief Fund, established immediately following 9/11, and fully matches a federal Save America's Treasures challenge grant awarded to the project.

"This is a highly significant piece of American and now world history," said Alain Belda, chairman and CEO of Alcoa. "We're honored to be a part of restoring and preserving this important work."

The World Trade Center model is an official project of Save America's Treasures at the National Trust. The American Architectural Foundation's Octagon Museum is leading its conservation and restoration. Minoru Yamasaki Associates built the three-dimensional model from 1969-71 as a presentation for the Port Authorities of New York and New Jersey to accurately reflect the proposed site. Measuring eight by ten feet at the base, with the Twin Towers rising over seven feet high, the piece vividly demonstrates the sheer size and mass of the original site. Constructed of hand-crafted pieces of wood, plaster, plastic and paper, the detailed representation was also painted with a special gloss to illustrate the towers' ingenious aluminum exterior. But the ravages of time have taken their toll on the fragile structure. Once restored, the model will be featured at Battery Park's new Skyscraper Museum when it opens this fall.

"The World Trade Center model is a treasured reminder of the architectural achievement of the twin towers and the lives that were so tragically lost on 9/11. Save America's Treasures at the National Trust is deeply gratified that Alcoa has chosen to join us in giving a brighter future to this iconic remnant of America's modern age," said Bobbie Greene, director of Save America's Treasures.

Alcoa and the World Trade Center

In the late 1960's, Alcoa was approached to help design a new alloy for the World Trade Center. Alcoa created a unique aluminum "skin" and novel cladding system for the architects. T, a signature lightweight alloy developed by Alcoa for the World Trade Center, is credited with giving many tall buildings around the world their shiny, graceful appearance. Aluminum was used extensively in the construction, including the covering of the trademark Gothic forks around the base of the buildings.

Save America's Treasures is a public-private partnership between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service dedicated to identifying and rescuing the enduring symbols of American tradition that define us as a nation. Save America's Treasures was established by Executive Order in 1998 to protect "America's threatened cultural treasures, including historic structures, collections, works of art, maps and journals that document and illuminate the history and culture of the United States." To date, the program has designated over 900 preservation efforts around the country as Official Projects and generated $53 million in private support that, together with $140 million in federal SAT challenge grants, has made this public-private partnership the most significant preservation effort in American history.

The American Architectural Foundation, a non-profit educational organization, advances the vision of a society that participates in shaping its environment through an understanding of the power of architecture to elevate and enrich the human experience. The Octagon, a National Historic Landmark, is the oldest museum in the US devoted to architecture and design.

Alcoa is the world's leading producer of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. In addition to aluminum products and components, Alcoa also markets consumer brands including Reynolds Wrap(R) foils and plastic wraps, Alcoa(R) wheels, and Baco(R) household wraps. Among its other businesses are vinyl siding, closures, precision castings, and electrical distribution systems for cars and trucks. The company has 127,000 employees in 39 countries. More information can be found at www.alcoa.com.