Life on the Titanic

Immerse yourself in the era of one of the world’s most tragic maritime disasters. Found on the second floor of the Pontiac Museum Complex, the Life on the Titanic exhibit portrays the life and times of the RMS Titanic, its passengers, and the elegant Edwardian Age. Displayed items are contemporaries of those that sank on the ill-fated liner as well as items from one of the ships that came to her survivors’.

The Life on the Titanic exhibit is one of three in the Pontiac Museum Complex curated by Ron Selle and Darlene Agner; others include Life in the 1940s and Music of the Civil War. They are also the curators of Nine Days in April: The Lincoln Assassination & the Press exhibit.

This display within the Life on the Titanic exhibit shares the two-month account of Axelina “Axie” Constanzia Ergo, a passenger aboard the SS Doric — another White Star liner — during a 1928 voyage. Just as the Titanic had done 11 years earlier, the Doric made a transatlantic crossing from Europe to North America.  Although the Doric was one-third the size of the Titanic, it exhibited the same stately lines, the same color scheme, and the same lavish interior as the Titanic.

Along the way, Axie kept a daily diary detailing her adventures and destinations along the Mediterranean Sea. The original diary serves as the basis for the display and can be seen along with her hand-colored portrait.

Life on the Titanic
Pontiac Museum Complex
110 W. Howard St.
Pontiac, IL 61764

Phone:
815-844-5847

Hours:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week (April – October)
Closed November – March

Admission:
Donation only