For Immediate Release:
January 12, 2009

For more information, contact:
Francine Patella Ryan
ESL Public Affairs Manager
fpatella@esl.org
585.336.1089 or 585.261.6220 (cell)

ESL Brings World-Renowned "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition" to Western New York

Exhibit Extended through January 24th, 2010

Rochester, New York... Experience the legendary story of the most famous ship of its time as ESL presents Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, October 1, 2009 - January 24, 2010 at the Rochester Museum & Science Center's Riedman Gallery, 657 East Ave., Rochester.

On a calm April night in 1912, Titanic, the world's largest ship, sank on her maiden voyage after colliding with an iceberg. On board were 2,228 passengers, including business tycoons, artists and film stars, government dignitaries, immigrants dreaming of a new life, mothers, fathers, sons, and daughters. More than 1,500 perished. No one believed it could happen. Ninety-seven years later, the Rochester Museum & Science Center will pay tribute to the tragedy through Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, where more than 125 artifacts conserved from the ship's debris field, offer visitors a poignant look at this iconic ship and its passengers.

The exhibition focuses on the RMS Titanic's compelling human stories as best told through authentic artifacts and extensive room re-creations. Perfume from a maker who was traveling to New York to sell his samples, china etched with the logo of the elite White Star Line, and personal items such as a shoe brush, a sock, a cigar holder, or the top of a toothpaste jar - these and many other authentic objects offer haunting, emotional connections to lives abruptly ended or forever altered.

Visitors are quickly drawn back to 1912 upon entrance, as each receives a replica boarding pass of an actual passenger aboard Titanic. They then begin their chronological journey through the life of the Titanic, moving through the ship's construction, to life on board, to the tragic sinking and amazing artifact rescue efforts. They will marvel at the re-created first and third class cabins, and press their palms against an iceberg while discovering countless stories of heroism and humanity. In the "Memorial Gallery," guests will take their boarding passes to the memorial wall and discover whether their passengers and traveling companions survived or perished.

The exhibit is open to the public Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Wednesdays and Thursdays: 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. (except October 1st and selected holidays); and Sundays 11:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $12 for ESL employees and members and can be purchased online at www.rmsc.org or by calling 585-697-1942.

Proof of ESL membership/employment will be required before entering the exhibit. Members/employees may use their ESL VISA, Check or ATM card, as well as an ESL account statement.

Produced by RMS Titanic, Inc., more than 22 million people during the past 15 years, have seen this powerful exhibition in major museums worldwide - from Chicago to Los Angeles and Paris to London. RMS Titanic, Inc. (a division of Premier Exhibitions, Inc.), is the only company permitted by law to recover objects from the wreck of the Titanic. The Company was granted Salvor-in-Possession rights to the wreck site of Titanic by a United States federal court in 1994 and has conducted seven research and recovery expeditions to the Titanic, rescuing more than 5,500 artifacts.

Founded by George Eastman in 1920, ESL Federal Credit Union is a full-service financial institution with $3.6 billion in assets. ESL employs more than 600 people locally and has more than 292,000 members world-wide. Access to the credit union includes 18 branch locations and more than 40 ATM locations, a Tele-Banking Center, and Internet and online banking channels. The company is headquartered at 100 Kings Highway South in Rochester and can be found on the Internet at esl.org.

 

Titanic Boy Playing

Titanic Life Boat

Titanic Bank Note

Titanic Newsboy

Photos provided by Titanic: the Artifact Exhibition