Another Fourth of July has come and gone.  Proud Americans came out in droves at both museums, Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.  We the crew thank all of you that decided to spend some Fourth of July time at our facilities.

We observe the Fourth as like all Holidays with much respect; after all, many people do not realize that The R.M.S. Titanic was American owned, thusly the American Flag on the bow of our ship.  Funded by an international maritime corporation owned by American financier J.P. Morgan, who fortunately for him, due to business obligations missed the maiden voyage.

The Fourth of July celebrates the Independence from Great Britain…hmmmm, well if you can’t beat’em, join’em, that’s what many of us did, and thank you for the GREAT OPPORTUNITY!

Fireworks at Titanic Pigeon Forge's Grand Opening

Fireworks are a great tradition celebrating this Independence Day.  Fireworks at the Titanic Museum in Branson are not feasible due to its location, but I still remember with pride the fantastic display of fireworks at the opening of the Titanic Pigeon Forge on April 8th.  Fourth of July fireworks were not part of the program this year in Pigeon Forge, but I have a feeling there will be more fire in the works after that stunning display on April 8th.

A sad fact is that joyous celebrations like fireworks displays, sporting events, and other events that entail mass gatherings of people, were avoided by many that survived the tragic sinking of R.M.S. Titanic.  A gentleman that survived that horrific night on April 15th in 1912 was quoted as saying that from that point on he no longer could enjoy baseball games in his home town of Detroit, Michigan.  Whenever he heard the ecstatic cries and cheers for home runs and the like it brought back the deafening sound of hundreds of poor souls struggling in the icy waters of the North Atlantic when Titanic went down.

For some survivors of R.M.S. Titanic, fireworks became something to avoid.  The setting off of fireworks was too reminiscent of the multitudes of flairs that were set off from the deck of Titanic.

The Fourth of July should be celebrated with much pride and excitement, after all, think of the immigrants that were on board Titanic that were anxious to arrive in their new, chosen homeland.  So this Fourth we honor those of us that strive to pursue our dreams in a “Chosen Homeland”.

But when we blast off the fireworks, and cheer at the top of our voices, always remember that what is fantastic fun for most of us, for some it can trigger tragic memories.  Be respectful and we at both Titanic Museums wish happiness and above all, safety with future celebrations.

First Class Maid Jaynee

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

They will all be here, an amazing herd of amazing, life size horses grazing around the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri.  Courtesy of Rachel Wilson, amazing artist/sculptor who has generously agreed to display her creations throughout the month of July at our museum.  Rachel Wilson stumbled into this medium, having worked mainly with paint and canvass when her husband jokingly suggested she create something from the hedge branches they were gathering up one day on their 40,000 acre ranch in Avilla, Missouri, “It would cost less than painting supplies.”

First Class Maid Jaynee and Rachel Wilson pose in front of one of Rachel's Horse Sculptures

So she did, she did just that.  And what became a jest, a dare, became one of the most outstanding collections of creative ingenuity in the United States.  Rachel is tiny, delicate, with strawberry, light brown hair, Alice Blue eyes, and a peaches and cream complexion.  Not the type you would cast as a gritty, life size, media artist.  These hedge branches, though pliable, are tough as wire; Rachel bends and twists these branches into the image of horses, 16 hands high.  They have flaring nostrils, deep recesses for eyes, some have flying manes and tails, and some are grazing, or prancing.  Rachel says she does not name her masterpieces until they are complete and they come to life, then she christens each equine with a name.  Rachel, a Mother of four and an active participant with her husband in managing a huge ranch, started as a teen with her artistic expression, she ultimately won scholarships and is still pursuing her work as an artist, and since the advent of the horses, Rachel has become quite a name in the Art World.  And we at Titanic are so lucky to have her work displayed on our property.  It will be interesting to see how much traffic will jam when we put these beauties up for the July first opening.

Titanic's Horse Sculpture Exhibit beginning July 1st

Of course it makes perfect sense to have an artistic display featured at our Titanic Museum Attraction.  After all in 1912 when the R.M.S. Titanic set sail she was thought of as a floating palace.  Titanic was filled with the finest paintings, sculptures, stained glass, rod iron work, the art of her architecture alone set her above all other ocean liners.  Her passenger list was filled with the art collectors of the day, two passengers, among others, were world renowned artists.  Paul Chevre, a French sculptor, and Francis Millet, landscape artist, portrait painter and illustrator.  The protagonist, Jack Dawson, from James Cameron’s movie, “The Titanic”, was an aspiring artist and we certainly appreciated his drawing of Rose.  Rachel’s work could find no better place to be displayed then at our museum; of course I am prejudiced and simply can’t wait to see them up close.  Horse lovers will appreciate the reality displayed in her work, it’s really quite incredible.

I personally love Rachel’s story.  A woman with the strength and tenacity to pursue her dreams, and then to create such a strong exhibit that seems to reflect her roots and her life.  All this in such a small, pretty package.  Perfect.

Like the song lyric from Wildfire:

She comes down from Yellow Mountain

On a dark, flat land she rides

On a pony she named Wildfire

With a whirlwind by her side

Well, she’s coming down from Avilla, Missouri and I’ll be right there to greet Rachel, her horses, and you.

First Class Maid, Jaynee

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

This last week has been filled with heartwarming but bittersweet happenings.  First there was the Barry County Queen and Princess Pageant held at Gizmo’s Event Center in Wheaton, Missouri.  For two years I had been asked to be a part of this pageant and help with the judging, because of scheduling it was not possible until this year.  I enlisted the aid of First Class Maid Jamie, a professional in the field of pageants.  I on the other hand although having been in show business for the majority of my life, never participated in the pageant game.  There were three judges, plus the organizers, which included the man who handles the Barry County pageant every year, Larry Gullian.  We selected our queen, Kaitlyn Shumacher, and the princess we selected just happened to be her sister, Stephanie Shumacher.  It was “heartwarming” to experience this truly all American tradition, but “heartbreaking” as well for the other participants in the pageant.  Another life lesson, but then of course there is always next year.

Jaynee at the Titanic Father's Day Boat Show

Boats were sold and Father’s were honored this Father’s Day at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri.  We celebrated our third annual Father’s Day Boat show with beautiful boat selections from Bass Pro.  Families turned out in droves and Janet Ellis from radio station KRZK and KOMC had a “live radio party” with me and the rest of the crew on sight.  I wore my swim dress 1912 style, and Janet wore a Titanic Night Shirt, sans pants, but we called it a swim dress anyhow.  Always big laughs with Janet.  It was “heartwarming” to see the young boys and girls, and even the older children, jesting with their Fathers and honoring their Da’s.  I asked one young lad if he would buy his Dad a boat for Father’s day, at that very moment the helicopter from the neighboring helicopter ride venue swooped down low over our Titanic parking lot, much to our crews angst, when the little boy shouted, “I’m buying my Dad a HELICOPTER!!!”  We at Titanic wish he would buy all of the ones next door and move them far away.  But as I saw the tiny tyke take his Dad’s hand and walk him into the museum for their tour, it was “heartbreaking” to think of other young lads and lassies that were on board R.M.S. Titanic, that took their Dad’s hands and boarded the ship with great anticipation and excitement, never to disembark with their Father’s again.  Dad’s like Frank Goldsmith and Carl Asplund in Third Class, in Second Class, Mr. Edwy West and Benjamin Hart, in First Class, Mr. Hudson Allison and Mr. John Thayer.  This last Father’s Day, our Fathers that entered the museum were fortunate to exit as well.

Then of course, on Saturday the Branson/Tri-Lakes Humane Society brought a collection of homeless dogs for Adopt a Dog Day at the Titanic Humane Society!  Two were adopted!  Several other were not, but they were seen, they were loved, and for a brief moment were treated like beloved pets, and not unwanted nuisances.  It was “heartwarming” to see the dogs enjoy the people and the people enjoy the dogs, dogs were walked, petted, hugged, and praised and loved.  It was “heartbreaking” to see the pleading looks of Chloe the overweight Dachshund who’s real owner had died and at seven years old she had been thrust into this homeless predicament, it was “heartbreaking” as I held Ethel, the sister dog of Lucy who had just been adopted, Ethel clinging to me with fear and sadness, that her sister had been selected, but she had not.  Yes, First Class Maid Jaynee, sat holding that dog and cried, I couldn’t help it, you know the feeling, choking back tears, trying hard not to seem weak and silly, but I could not help it.  This is so important, to create awareness, let people know about these four legged loves, and because of Titanic, and Molly and Carter, we have raised thousands of dollars and supplies for the shelters, but the dogs need forever homes.  Please pray for Ethel and all the unwanted pets, dogs and cats.  And thank you all for your continued support with the Molly and Carter S.O.S. project.

First Class Maid Jaynee

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

As promised, here’s the update on Titanic Pigeon Forge’s first big party. Congratulations are in order to the Titanic Pigeon Forge crew.

Thursday, May 20^th, started as usual, guests clamoring to purchase tickets for a full day of Titanic exploration. The exception this day was that the last ticket of the day was sold at 2:00 p.m., to prepare for Titanic Museum Attraction II’s first ever fancy dress affair. A benefit for The United Way, all proceeds to the event going toward the fine work of the local Tennessee chapters of this charitable organization.

Caterers setting up their stations throughout the museum, florists delivering glamorous displays, tables festooned with the most sumptuous of cheese collections and cheese hourdourves. Homemade breads, and accompaniments, delectable fruits, crudités carved into flowers and dainty shapes. We must have had at least nine of these feasting stops, nearby local wineries had appropriate wines to compliment each type of cheese offered. Building to the end of the tour with desert wines paired with an array of chocolates, crème brulee spoons, pastries, wondrous!

Having been involved in many of these types of functions, often times cheese and wine parties can be quite basic, if not quite dull, this was far from that. Not only was the food presented beautifully, it was the finest tasting grouping of cheese and accompaniments I have had the pleasure of tasting. We as staff know better than to dig in as if one were a guest and not a host, but discreetly, tastings are essential to experience what the guest is hopefully enjoying. Top notch!

The guests did their charity proud, much money was raised, thanks and awards were given on The Grande Staircase, officiated by the leaders of the event and John and Mary Joslyn. Crew, myself, and Captain David in attendance. I would venture to guess there will be many more of these soirees in the future.

Titanic's Molly and Carter

Currently my favorite subject is our darling mascots, Molly and Carter. On May 24^th we were asked to host the Destined for Branson stage show held at Tri-Lakes Center. Ladies and Gentlemen, there is a reason I, First Class Maid Jaynee, never was blessed with wee ones. I have discovered I am a horrific stage Mother, with the protective instincts of a Mother Cougar. Not to worry, silly me, all went well, and along with Mother Mary, Kelly Kimball, Molly and Carter’s lovely Nanny, (dog handler), and of course, moi, they were appropriately perfect. If people could be so well behaved and beautiful, it would be a perfect world. Am I exaggerating? Well, as I have said, I’m a horrific stage Mother, and that’s how we are.

The acts on the bill that afternoon were quite good and I for one believe the audience should have been quite entertained, I know I was.

I’m back at the Mother Ship in Branson, Missouri for Memorial Day Weekend and I hope to see you there. If not in Branson, then please enjoy our new museum In Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Thank you, First Class Maid, Jaynee

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Ahoy Carter and Molly!  And thank you for a delightful opening week.

After a great week of dress rehearsals for our two new King Charles Spaniel mascots, the two little darlings proved to be a SMASH upon officially opening on March 18th at their S.O.S. Humane Society Benefit and on March 19th for their opening day at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri.

Thousands of dollars were generated at the benefit and Carter and Molly proved to be the stars they are as they made their appearance Thursday evening on The Grande Staircase.  Then on Friday after a busy morning which included radio appearances off campus and on with KRZK and KOMC, these two troopers debuted their soon to be traditional walk down the promenade by the waterfall at the sound of the ships horn at noon.

The set up for this was great.  So heartwarming.  Preceding their appearance our Captain served as M.C. greeted the onlookers and hosted our very own Titanic inspired Westminster dog show.  Seven various canines from our local animal shelters went down the walkway before Molly and Carter.  Each homeless pet represented a breed of dog that had been on the R.M.S. Titanic, and then the moment of truth, Molly and Carter, representing the King Charles that had belonged to the William Carter family in First Class was introduced to cheers and hoorahs!  Prancing down the walkway by the waterfall our two new charges soaked up the greetings while this maid proudly escorted the pups to their dais in front of the crowd.  Welcoming speeches were made, thank yous were given to all that attended the opening ceremony and we all made our way to Molly and Carter’s viewing area to watch them enjoy their new digs, frolicking and gamboling from one fluffy dog bed to the next, joined by me, the First Class Maid, of course.

Molly and Carter with First Class Maid Jaynee

Since then we have hosted a visiting radio station, various journalists, and gotten into our daily routine.  Visitors have requested photo ops, despite the miserable rainy conditions this past weekend, we have found a way and now the weather is simply delightful.  Molly and Carter are finding their way and feeling their rhythms in the museum and have even adapted to their 1920s style perambulator and have even graced us with some clever tricks, like ringing the bell on their buggy, barking on cue, and being so cute, the trick for all of us is not to be perceived as completely bats over these adorable love sponges.  I, for one am hooked like a helpless trout, and am forever there faithful servant.  Even in the rain.

The children that come to the museum have been positively radiant when they meet the dogs.  We have had many discussions about the pets they have at home and I have learned more about beagles, Chihuahuas, Labradors, and dachshunds that I ever felt possible.  Molly and Carter truly bring out the humanity in people and their greater purpose is becoming more and more clear.  I foresee a great year of good being generated from their presence.

One little girl was beside herself when just arriving she saw me bringing the girls in after their constitutional, exclaiming she cried, “Mommy! Mommy! There they are the talking dogs!”  Oh how she wanted them to speak after hearing them speak on telly, the best I could offer was a kiss and a bark, explaining that speaking in English was reserved only for the television cameras.

So the year of the Dog has begun, please come, and we’ll be right here to greet you.

First Class Maid Jaynee
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Hoorah!  Our dog mascots, Molly and Carter have arrived and are almost ready for their world debut to the guests of the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri!  All last week was spent on introducing our two new darlings to media, local dignitaries, tourism professionals, and the press and media.  The week was filled with radio interviews, television appearances, breakfasts and lunches to launch The World’s First Tribute to the ten dogs that were aboard the R.M.S. Titanic.

Titanic's Molly and Carter with First Class Maid Jaynee

These show dogs took it all in stride, alongside their very own designated dog handler, Brianna, their two professional dog trainers, Matt and Vanessa Mattney, owners, John and Mary Joslyn, I, and a complete crew of doting Titanic staff, these stars shone.

Their official duties at the Titanic museum will begin March 19th which will include meeting and greeting our guests, languishing and lounging in their sumptuous dog kennel which can be viewed by our many visitors, and at the stroke of noon at the sounding of the ships horn a parade down our promenade past the waterfall with a brief but brilliant presentation to our guests along with photo opportunities.

However, Molly and Carter have a mission.  Not only to honor their ancestors that were aboard the great ship Titanic, but to bring awareness to our own community through visits to schools and organizations the importance of pet ownership and the responsibility it entails.  So many plunge ahead into purchasing a pet, whether it be a dog, cat, horse, goat, bird, whatever the poor creature, and give little thought to the years of devotion that pet will require.  Thus the epidemic of stray animals increases daily.  The statistics are stupefying and growing every day, particularly in the Ozarks.  A beautiful community but with a diminishing economy and an area where there are so many visitors and transients, literally thousands of stray dogs and cats are dumped monthly.  Not every dog or cat ends up in the lap of luxury like our dear little Molly and Carter, and we at Titanic are cognizant of that fact and need to make a difference, at least in our own backyard.

Titanic's Molly and Carter

On March 18th Titanic Museum Attraction presents Molly and Carter and their S.O.S. Project.  S.O.S. stands for, Save Our Strays.  We will be hosting an event at the Museum Attraction to raise money for our local animal shelters in Stone and Taney County.  This will be an elegant evening with a progressive dinner, tour of the museum, and of course an up close introduction to our new beautiful mascots Molly and Carter.  The cost is $75.00 per person, all funds going to The Taney County Humane Society and the Tri-Lakes Humane Society!  My God this maid is excited about this event; this has been needed for so long.  It’s never been done here in this area, how proud I am of our company and Molly and Carter, what a way to debut these two adorable King Charles Spaniels then to try to help their fellow canine and feline friends.

You see, Molly and Carter can speak, not only on their radio and television commercials that you will soon see, they speak through the Titanic machine which is our museum, they speak through me, First Class Maid Jaynee, they speak through the entire crew at our ship, but for the thousands of strays out there, Molly and Carter can speak for them.

In closing I would like to leave you with a beautiful poem that says it all.

I Can’t Speak
{Dedicated to all animals}
Poet Tom Peters

I can’t speak, when you treat me mean
I can’t speak, when you call me dumb
I can’t speak, in the freezing snow
When all my paws go numb
I can’t speak, when my collars too tight
And you forget my food and water at night
I can’t speak, when my teeth hurt bad
And another vet bill makes you red face mad

I can’t speak when you don’t take me out
And loss of control makes you yell and shout
I can’t speak, or even bark,
When I’m dumped out of a car alone in the dark
Shivering in the rain or the summer heat swelter
When all you had to do was take me to a shelter

I can’t speak to be neutered or spayed
For the millions of animals that could have been saved
I can’t speak or write on the wall
If you can’t take care of us, don’t take us at all
You humans believe you’re so humane
But you cause animal’s death and pain
Please remember in God’s name
I can’t speak

In Memory of Princess and B.W.
Copyright 2005

Please drop by and visit Molly and Carter and remember, “We’ll be right here to greet you!”

First Class Maid Jaynee

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

The Titanic has been described as “The Ship of Dreams”, “A Floating Palace”, “The Eighth Wonder of the World”, but this week she’s, “The Love Boat”. That’s right Valentine’s Day has arrived and the place to celebrate is at The Titanic Museum in Branson, Missouri.

This whole week will be filled with testimonies of love, flirtations, and romance culminating with February 14th on Sunday. We have vow renewals scheduled, proposals of marriage planned, and all things cupid related will be spotlighted this week.

Renew your vows on the Grand Staircase

Anything can happen at the Titanic Museum, we’ve seen it occur right on our Grande Staircase. A tale of love gone wrong and then made right took place at the museum the first year we were open. Maid Jamie recalls one couple she greeted at the staircase one day and as she often does she requests that the lady take the gentleman’s arm when ascending the stairs. When met with this request, the couple looked at each other with an obvious distaste, but not wanting to seem rude they complied with Maid Jamie’s request. The lady took his arm and off they went. About an hour later the same couple descended the stairs, the temps had gone from cool to simmer and not only did she have her gentleman’s arm they were hand in hand and obviously smitten. Well, friends that is not the end of the story. The next day Maid Jamie was at her post at the Grande Staircase when in walked the lady from the day before, she asked if she could speak to Maid Jamie and of course Jamie was all ears. She told Maid Jamie that her and her husband had been on the brink of divorce when they decided to cruise through Branson and stop at the Titanic Museum, they had not been speaking, let alone touching, so when Maid Jamie had asked them to climb the Grande Staircase arm and arm, that had been the first physical contact they had had in months. That evening after the tour they went out to dinner, had a long soulful talk, realizing just how much they loved each other were going to give the marriage another go. Well Maid Jamie was stunned, as we all were when hearing of the story. So you see, anything can happen and does daily at The Titanic Museum.

Valentine’s Day is a delightful time of year for children who enjoy their puppy love flirtations, the love of their little friends, and of course their family, young love is always exciting and thrilling, in the minds of the newly fractured no other love can possibly be as rare or perfect, then of course love becomes more sophisticated, with candlelight dinners and diamonds and pearls, then mature love, if achieved is the most perfect of all, you have stood the test of time and no one can break the tie that binds. For a moment I want you to think of all the couples, like those I have just described that were sailing on board the R.M.S. Titanic.

Newlywed couples, like the Astors with a baby on the way, solid married couples like the Goldsmiths traveling in Third Class, the Laroche couple, Joseph and Juliette, with their two little girls, so in love they were moving back to Haiti so they could live their lives together without prejudice and persecution. Think of the Valentines hearts that were forever broken because of the “Titanic” tragedy. In memory of them all I would like to end with a poem written by my Valentine and eternal love.

Love of my Life
By Tom Peters

Love of my Life, I miss you
Oh, What I’d give, If I could just kiss you
I’ll try so hard to wear a smile again
But where will I find
Another Best Friend

I hear your voice
Everywhere I turn
But there’s only me
And tear drops that burn

Saying goodbye to you
Tore my hear in two
For the Love of my Life is gone
And the Love of my Life is gone

I haven’t gone anywhere, I’ll be right here to greet you,
First Class Maid Jaynee
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Wedding vow renewals on the Titanic

At the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri of course.  February heralds the start of romance, devotion, passion, and L-O-V-E at our museum.  Throughout the year the Titanic museum is a perfect setting for weddings, vow renewals at the Grande Staircase, and romance.  In 1912 when the Titanic set sail out of Southampton, England 12 newlywed couples thought so too.  Ocean liners and cruise ships are always perfect for anniversary celebrations and honeymooners, something about floating around the ocean seems to spark even the most frigid relationships, unless of course the ship should happen to crash into a mountain of ice, then I guess the phrase, “Love on the rocks,” takes on a significant new meaning.

Nevertheless, we at the museum are proud to boast that we have been the staging place for countless weddings and hundreds of vow renewals since our opening in 2006.  Check out our web page for wedding information, our own beautiful First Class Maid Sarah and newlywed husband John are pictured in their nuptial costumes, looking glamorous so much in love.

February, like a tulip ready to bloom, promises to be just as romantic as previous Valentine months at the museum.  Last year on Valentine’s Day we had over 50 vow renewals on the Grande Staircase.  So simple to arrange, interested parties should call the museum, make a reservation, many packages are available from the simplest of exchanges to elaborate packages that include hotel accommodations, a cake, and even a beautiful “Heart of the Ocean” necklace.  It’s up to you!  You’re the Captain, and by the way all of the vow renewals are conducted by our very own Captain David, he is ordained to perform these ceremonies and every vow renewal comes with a vow renewal certificate, legal and binding…this is serious business.  Serious “love” business.

Titanic's Rose featured during Sweetheart Month

Throughout this romance month we will be honored to have our long stemmed, beautiful “Rose” returning to hostess this Sweetheart Months festivities at the museum.  One glance at this just plain pretty lady and you’ll believe you’re starring in the blockbuster, James Cameron film, The Titanic.  Yes, she favors Kate Winslet’s Rose that much….I think she’s even lovelier.  Also this month I will be bringing you touching romantic tales of undying love on the R.M.S. Titanic and romantic reports of love at the Titanic Museum.  To start I’d like to share a contribution from Titanic’s favorite visiting author, Bruce Caplan.  He sent this testament to love to the Titanic and I’d like to share it with all of you.  Enjoy.

A Valentine Message from the Titanic

By Bruce M. Caplan

Titanic was only a couple of days out of New York, when passengers felt the collision with a giant iceberg. It was 20 minutes to midnight on the 14th of April 1912 and many were fast asleep in their cabins.  For the first few minutes after the impact, those aware of the happening were excited and thrilled about the turn of events.  Most thought that they were on a craft that was unsinkable and the collision with the iceberg just added more excitement to the inaugural cruise.

As they gazed up at the clear moonless sky, a myriad of stars twinkled back at them.  Turning their eyes toward the ocean gave them more confidence.  The sea was as smooth as glass!

Captain Smith, Bruce Ismay and Thomas Andrews were soon aware that the Titanic had suffered a fatal blow.  The ship was doomed to be swallowed by the Ocean!  There were only 20 lifeboats on the Titanic—enough to save about half of the 2200 passengers.  Unfortunately the first boats were launched half empty!  Passengers could not believe that the new Empress of the Seas was in trouble.

Within a few score minutes the pride of the White Star Line began to rapidly sink.  Men, women, and children suddenly realized that to board a lifeboat was their only way to survive.

Ida Straus, the wife of Isidor Straus the owner of Macy’s watched the lifeboats depart.  She was 63 and had been married to her husband for over 40 years.  Standing by lifeboat #8, she was urged by the passengers to get in and save herself.  She refused to leave her husband’s side.

Survivors witnessed the Straus’s holding hands as the frigid Ocean devoured the last decks of the Titanic. Isidor and Ida’s eternal love will be forever remembered and cherished!

Thank you Bruce.  Please come and visit the museum this month, it promises to be a heartwarming experience and I’ll be right here to greet you.

First Class Maid, Jaynee

:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Artifacts that is.  The museum biz is like no other business I’ve ever been in.  It’s vitally important in order to have and maintain a viable museum that curators are constantly planning on changing up displays and artifacts.

This past week was a four day marathon of doing just that at the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri.  One million dollars were spent on renovations, deep cleaning, painting, new carpet, building, and moving in new exciting Titanic displays and moving out, with the same care, older galleries for storage.

White glove care, attention to each detail, designers, curators, technicians, a Titanic team of genius workman and artisans.  It takes at least three to five hours for each new display case.  The contents of these cases valued in the millions of dollars…cold sweat time.  But it’s done congratulation to all that lent their expertise.  Ready for viewing, here are some of the new things you the guest will be able to experience.

Lady Duff Gordon - The Titanic Historical Socirty

Lady Duff Gordon, a favorite First Class Titanic passenger has a magnificent display in our First Class Dining Saloon.  Lady Duff Gordon was a world famous fashion designer; she was traveling on board Titanic with her husband Sir Cosmo Duff Gordon and her entourage.  She had taken the fashion world by storm with her fashion forward thinking.  A darling of the royals she designed for the wealthiest and the most famous the world over with fashion salons in both Europe and the United States.  A pioneer she was the first to use models, first to do away with corsets, and first to introduce slits in skirts.  Her brand name used was simply, “Lucile”.  And anyone that was anybody had to own a “Lucile” gown.  In our First Class Dining Saloon we created from an original “Lucile” sketch, an amazing tea gown.  All natural fibers and materials that would have been used from the period were used to recreate this gown and in its World Exclusive Debut this gown will take your breath away.

In Third Class we have a tribute display to Third Officer Herbert J. Pitman.  A survivor of the Titanic disaster he had been off duty when the ship crashed into the iceberg and the noise woke him from his bunk.  He later described to the US Board of Inquiry, “I thought it seemed like the ship coming to anchor”, “the chain running over the windlass.”  I daresay Officer Pitman was in for a rude awakening.  In Officer Pitman’s display we have a never before seen photograph of this rakish officer along with his Masonic sash and his leather purse with Pitman’s embossed name, both traveled with him on board Titanic.  These items were discovered in his pine shipping trunk with two signal flags he used for semi fore duty aboard Titanic.  You can almost smell the brine of the sea when passing this brave sailor’s display.

After the Titanic sank debris from the great ship was strewn for miles and needed to be retrieved.  These were busy sea lanes and White Star Line was obligated to collect as much of the debris as possible, including the unfortunate passengers that had perished and been left drifting on the North Atlantic.  The recovery ships, Minia and the Mackay-Bennett were assigned to this grim task.  In our Interactive gallery you will see a display of various wood items that were fashioned out of some of the floating wood debris picked up by these ships….real Titanic wood.  A young seaman aboard the Minia writes to his Mother about the horrors of his assignment, and in the Discovery gallery haunting photographs of pitiful victims of the Titanic tragedy grace one display case.  Courtesy of the retriever crew of the Mackay-Bennett.

Joseph P. Laroche - The Titanic Historical Socirty

So much to see, but one more mention.  Joseph P. Laroche and his wife Juliette Laroche.  You will read their story and see their family photograph on display in the First Class Dining Saloon.  The Laroche’s were traveling Second Class on board Titanic and Joseph Laroche was the only black man on board the ship.  A native of Haiti, his Father, at one time the President of Haiti, Joseph Laroche was a learned man and had earned a P.H.D. Engineering degree in Paris.  He and his wife, an interracial union, which in 1912 raised many prejudices, decided to go home to his island country so that they could live in peace.  So he, Juliette, and their two daughters boarded Titanic in Cherbourg, France.  He and his family have earned their place in this museum and we display their story with honor.  Alongside their story is a map of Haiti so one may realize how close this island country is to the United States.  In this tragic time for Haiti, please send a prayer when visiting this important display.

This is just the tip of the iceberg as far as new elements to our already brimming museum.  So come back and see us or make it a point to visit the Titanic Museum Attraction for the first time.  I have worked there since the beginning in 2006 and I still get goose bumps when I peer into the Titanic lives and legacies on display here at the museum.

Always remember, I’ll be right here to greet you.

First Class Maid, Jaynee
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

It’s that time of year.  Time to be bedazzled with Titanic’s fourth annual Ice Carving Competition coming up this Saturday, January 16th, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  This year we expect to have over twenty professional competitors that will be judged by members of the National Ice Carving Association.  Cash prizes will be awarded as well as recognition and points earned toward Olympic qualification.

Titanic's Ice Sculpture Competition

This yearly competition takes place in the parking lot of the Titanic Museum Attraction and it’s always amazing how the museum turns into a winter wonderland with the most spectacular ice sculptures.  Winged horses, unicorns, giant angelfish, even a tiger shark, a mythological creature, half ferocious tiger in front, with a shark tail in back.  There of course are always tributes to Titanic with Captains at the helm, montages of sinking liners, icebergs, and anchors, all of these imaginings brought to life out of 250 pound blocks of ice.  And not just regular ice, special ice imported from a company in Oklahoma.  The quality of this ice is such that the clarity is more like crystal then simply frozen H2O.  The tools the artists use range from picks to chainsaws, tiny torches, chisels, sanders, and chippers.  But the outcome is always the same.  Art.  A fragile, inconceivable art form that’s life span is so short.  If we are lucky this year these sculptures will last awhile.  Long enough for guests to view the gallery of ice upon its completion.  After the competition viewers are invited to tour the parking area with their autos.  The sculptures will be lighted and displayed for as long as the weather allows.

This competition is free to the public but of course we hope that you stop into the museum.  Currently the museum is closed to the public for renovations, cleaning, and changing up artifacts.  Gearing up for the season ahead.  A monumental task to complete in four days but each year I’m stunned by how it all gets done and done so well.  Complements to all Titanic staff and managers that accomplish this yearly housekeeping.

The first year our Ice Carving Competition was held during one of the worst ice storms the Ozarks has ever experienced, the second year was so very cold that the ice sculptures stayed intact ever so long, last year the public turned out in the thousands and the weather was beautiful, but not so beautiful for ice sculptures, the judges had to judge quickly, but how exciting to watch these artists work so quickly to complete their melting masterpieces.  This year the competitors are ready, our competition is gaining world attention and the participants are fiercely competitive.  Can’t wait!

Come by on Saturday, January 16th, the museum will be sparkling, the ice sculptures will be sparkling, and I’ll be right here to greet you.

First Class Maid, Jaynee
:: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::