Feeding the Titanic Fever

If the Titanic story interests you, here are a few museums and exhibits around the globe that are dedicated to the notorious ship and its demise.

Interest in the Titanic, Britain’s “unsinkable” ocean liner, which sank 10 days into her maiden voyage, has continued almost unabated since we first reviewed the exhibition of the ship wreck’s relics in Memphis several years ago. Premier Exhibitions (appointed by the courts as Salvor-in-Possession of goods recovered after seven dives to the wreck) announced that after 15 years of continuous touring, the exhibit “Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition” has welcomed its 20 millionth visitor.

While you’re saving up for a cruise, you can visit some of these permanent museum collections and memorials:

• Ulster Folk and Transport Museum (+44 (0)28 9042 8428) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, where the ship was constructed by Harland & Wolff (still in business, tourists welcome!)
• Maritime Museum of the Atlantic (902/424-7490) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada where some furnishings, deck chairs and life jackets recovered by rescue teams are displayed.
• Marine Museum at Fall River, Massachusetts (508/674-3533) which has its own collection of relics washed ashore that fateful night.
• Titanic Historical Society in Springfield, Massachusetts (413/543-4770), an unusual collection of personal items from victims and memorabilia donated by survivors.
• Straus Park, 107th Street & Broadway, New York City, a pretty landscaped triangle in the midst of the Upper West Side’s busiest boulevard. This park and its remarkable, tomb-like fountain were built in honor of Isidor Straus, the co-founder of Macy’s department store, and his wife Ida, who lost their lives on the infamous ship.
• Titanic The Experience– Orlando, Florida (407/248-1166)- at this attraction guests are given guided tours by people dressed as famous passengers from the ship, Molly Brown and Captain Smith.
• Titanic- World’s Largest Museum Attraction– (800/381-7670 or 417/334-9500) Branson, Missouri – home to the world’s largest Titanic model, this museum recreates the fateful journey, inviting guests to live through the experience first-hand.