Clothing, utensils, furniture and other effects recovered from the Titanic can be viewed at “Titanic: the Artifact Exhibition” in Times Square.
This exhibit has a unique trick that immediately draws you in: each person is given “boarding card” upon entering. On that boarding pass is the name and background information of an actual person who was on the Titanic. As you walk through, seeing hair brushes, wallets, briefcases, sinks, china, rivets, huge ship’s whistles, the exhibit makes you feel as if you are on the journey yourself.
You learn of the coincidental circumstances of how some came to be on the ship: other ships cancelled due to a coal workers’ strike; illnesses caused people to postpone previous trips; many received monetary gifts in order to upgrade to the ship. You learn that the tickets ranged (in current US dollars) from $700 for Third Class to $90,000 for the best suite staterooms in First. You see recreations of the grand staircase only used by the First Class passengers, and the bunk rooms of Third (which were allegedly an improvement. On other ships, Third Class passengers didn’t even have areas where they could come up for fresh air). One can't help but be moved.
What about that “boarding pass” that you receive?
Well, in the last room, after going past and touching an actual iceberg, stepping onto a projection of a to–scale replica of a lifeboat, there is a wall where the names of the survivors and those who were lost are listed. If you are not touched when searching the list, then you were not paying attention.
Speaking of paying, with admission averaging $22, you should read every word posted, right down to the exit signs! But to put the price into perspective: you are paying for the ongoing salvage project. Retrieving, transporting, desalinating and preserving the artifacts is expensive. And don't forget the Times Square rent.
Some are offended that you can buy t-shirts and replica of the 1st Class china in the gift shop. I kind of disagree. Sometimes it’s nice to have a memory you can hold. Also, it helps offset the costs of the exhibit; “Bodies” down at the Seaport also has a controversial gift shop. But these places are not run as non–profits like our museums, looking for donations. When put in perspective, if to have the opportunity to learn and become personally involved in the experience of this tragedy, it’s worth selling Titanic keychains to break even.
They believe that there was only one man of African descent on the Titanic: Joseph Philippe Lemercier Laroche of Haiti, who was taking his French wife and their children back in order to avoid job discrimination. Their preferred ship did not allow children, so they were transferred to the Titanic, Second Class.
On view through October 2009.
Discovery Times Square Exposition
226 West 44 Street (bet 7th & 8th)
Tickets $17.50 children; $24.50 adults (use Google to find discount coupons)
866.987.9692
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