Public Talks, Exhibits Contribute to Understanding of Titanic

Nova Scotians and visitors will be able to learn more about the province's connection to the sinking of the Titanic through a series of public talks and exhibits in March and April.

"Through Nova Scotia's museums and archives the story of our connection to Titanic is being told in new and interesting ways," said Frank Corbett, acting Communities, Culture and Heritage minister. "I encourage everyone to visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic and the Nova Scotia Archives to learn more about this important part of our shared history."

The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic will host three free Titanic-related public talks. George Wright: a Lifetime and a Legacy will explore Mr. Wright's history as a Haligonian and Titanic passenger who did not survive the sinking. A businessman in the early 1900s, many of his buildings remain in Halifax as registered heritage properties. The public talk by Kevin Barrett takes place March 13 at 7:30 p.m.

A temporary photographic installation by Andrew Danson Danushevsky, An Earnest Price: 150 Grave Stories, will bring together grave site images of the 150 Titanic victims buried in Halifax. The talk and exhibit opening take place April 3 at 7:30 p.m. The exhibit will be on display until July 2.

Hilda Slayter, a Haligonian and a survivor of the sinking, will be remembered through song in Hilda Slayter: a Survivor's Story and Song. The performance by Rosalie Peppard will take place April 10 at 7:30 p.m. As part of the event, Henrietta Mann will also give a talk on the rusticles that have formed on the Titanic.

The museum will also showcase Cable Ships: Connecting Halifax to Titanic and the World, a temporary exhibit that features the roles of the Halifax-based Mackay-Bennett and Minia ships in the recovery operations. The exhibit runs from April 12 to Nov. 4.

The Nova Scotia Archives will host The News Gets Worse and Worse: Halifax and the Titanic on April 14 at 5 p.m. The free event marks a special evening to commemorate the city's connection to the Titanic.

The public will be able to see, for the first time, Titanic-related material, newspapers, photographs and diaries of Haligonian academics, businesspeople and historians that detail the emotional response to the tragedy. Garry Shutlak, senior reference archivist and noted Titanic expert will be on hand to discuss the material.

"The 100th anniversary is an excellent occasion to learn more about our connection to Titanic," said Lois Yorke, director, Nova Scotia Archives. "We are pleased to offer the public an opportunity to explore the never-before-seen material from our vaults at the archives."

One of the most significant items on display will be the diary of Clifford Crease, a 24-year old crew member of the Mackay-Bennett, the ship that brought 170 bodies back to Halifax. Mr. Crease's granddaughters, Rabia Wilcox and Nadine Zuest-Wilcox will to discuss their grandfather's experiences and legacy at the event.

Other items in the exhibit feature the lives of George Wright and Hilda Slayter.

For more information on the events and other Titanic commemorative events visit www.novascotia.com.