Two area libraries are giving patrons an opportunity to learn more about the Titanic tragedy through exhibits and an event.
“You don’t really realize what happened around the sinking, all the ships out there, all the information they had,” said Rebecca Stanwick, an intern at Toledo-Lucas County Public Library who organized the exhibit there. “The big thing we’re trying to promote is not just history, but the information the library has available.”
The display is slated to be in the humanities department at the Main library, N. 325 Michigan St., from April 9 to May 31.
The “Titanic Sinks!” display will contain five cases highlighting the library’s extensive periodical collection from 1912.
Stanwick, a graduate student in the University of Toledo’s English department, organized the display so it tells a story.
“I do want the exhibit itself to tell the story of what happened; I don’t want it to be just random tidbits,” she said. The exhibit includes a timeline “so you can trace what exactly happened the night [the ship] sank, who got on a boat, who didn’t get on a boat,” Stanwick said.
“Titanic Sinks!” also contains information on William Harbeck, a filmmaker from Toledo, who died in the sinking. At the time of his death, Harbeck was traveling with a woman who may have been his mistress, Henriette Yvois. This resulted in confusion when his wife, based in Toledo, came to claim his body as some officials thought Yvois, who had also died, was Harbeck’s wife, Stanwick said.
“He has this huge, kinda weird connection and history involving his life and it all came out when he was declared dead from the sinking,” she said.
Stanwick’s “personal favorite” part of the display features some of the 15 couples who were honeymooning aboard the Titanic.
Another part highlights the finding of the Titanic in the 1980s.
The library also received 15-20 new books on the ship.
“Titanic Sinks!” is free and open during library hours, noon-8:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.
Way Public Library has a display with periodicals and other items of the time period now through April 20 in the lower level gallery.
History buff and Rossford resident Judy Sikorski orchestrated much of the display, said Mary Meyer, programming/public information specialist at Way.
The main attraction at Way is an event planned for 6 p.m. April 13. Musical duo TAPESTRY starts the evening with harp and guitar and will play for an hour.
The 1958 film, “A Night to Remember,” based on the book by Walter Lord, will start at 7 p.m.
“People my age remember it used to be on TV all the time,” Meyer said. “We did not want to show the newer version, because we know so many people have seen it and it’s not as historically accurate.”
Also on April 13, a 1908 Brush car will be on display outside the library before traveling to “Tea on the Titanic” the next day.
The April 14 event, put on by Historic Perrysburg, Inc., is at the Carranor Hunt and Polo Club, 502 E. 2nd St., Perrysburg from noon-3 p.m.
The unsinkable Molly Brown, played by Perrysburg resident Patrice Spitzer, will make an appearance at the historically themed tea party.
The Way Library movie showing is free and includes refreshments. Library hours are 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday seasonally. Way Library is at 101 E. Indiana Ave., Perrysburg. The library has also added more than 20 new books on Titanic to its collection. In addition, Way has Titanic offerings for children.
“We’ve always been aware that children are fascinated by Titanic. Our children’s librarians say there’s quite an interest in it,” Meyer said.
The library will host a Fun Library After School Happenings program 4:30-5:30 p.m. April 19 for second through fifth graders. Students will learn facts on the Titanic’s sinking and the finding of its wreck, Meyer said.
A home-schoolers’ book discussion of “White Star: a Dog on the Titanic,” is set for 1:30 p.m. April 9 for ages 8-12.
