In new exhibit, ‘Titanic' artifacts are still telling stories

We know how the story ends, but that hasn't stopped people from being fascinated with the RMS Titanic for nearly a century.

In fact, with the centennial of the famed maritime disaster on April 15, interest appears to be rising like a high tide. Responding to it, "Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition," featuring more than 200 artifacts recovered from the wreckage, opens in Atlanta at Atlantic Station on April 6, one of eight such shows debuting nationally.

It's an updated encore of the exhibit that had a popular 2006 run at the Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center, organized by Premier Exhibition Inc., the Atlanta firm that also tapped its collection for a smaller show at the Georgia Aquarium in 2008.

If you attended either of those exhibits and wonder what's new, the one opening April 6 at Atlantic Station's Premier Exhibition Center will introduce these elements:

  • One hundred recently conserved, never-before-seen artifacts, including some that have been directly linked to specific passengers.
  • The massive steel D-Deck door, originally mounted in the side of Titanic's hull, that was considered the "front door" for first-class passengers.

  • Untold stories of Titanic's passengers and crew.
  • A gallery devoted to Georgia passengers and connections.
  • Video from the most recent expedition to the wreck site.

EXHIBIT PREVIEW

"Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition"

Opening April 6 at Atlantic Station's Premier Exhibition Center for an open-ended run. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays-Sundays (last ticket sold at 6 p.m.), 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays (last ticket sold at 5 p.m.). $24, $22 seniors, $16 ages 4-12 (not counting service charges). 265 18th St., Second Floor (escalator 5), Atlanta. 1-866-866-8265, www.titanicatlanta.com.