Ahead of the anniversary of its tragic sinking (15 April 1912), Maritime Museum curators are inviting people from the Liverpool city region to share family connections and stories linked to RMS Titanic as part of the museum’s redevelopment.
Opened in 2012, the exhibition ‘Titanic and Liverpool: The Untold Story’, originally marked the centenary of the ship’s sinking by exploring the city’s significant links to the famous liner. Due to the huge popularity of the exhibition, it became a permanent gallery and now, while the museum is closed for refurbishment, curators are embracing the opportunity to also revitalise displays and explore what more Titanic stories might still be revealed in Liverpool families and communities.
Rebecca Smith, Maritime Museum Curator, said:
“Titanic’s story is known throughout the world, but less known is that as a Liverpool-registered ship she held many deep and personal connections to the city. Our permanent exhibition, ‘Titanic and Liverpool: The Untold Story’ explores some of these fascinating stories and we would love to uncover more as we work on refreshing this gallery.
“So, whether its family folklore passed down generations, or objects that represent a connection to the ill-fated ship, we would love to hear from local people who can help us build an even stronger sense of the ship’s relationship with Liverpool and convey how its tragic story impacted the city and its people.”
People are invited to share their Titanic stories with the team at: titanic@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk
A star item in ‘Titanic and Liverpool: The Untold Story’ exhibition is the letter written by May Louise McMurray on 13 April 1912 to her father, Titanic crew member, William McMurray. The letter addressed from May’s Liverpool home to her father’s boardings in Southampton arrived after the ship has departed. Sadly, the letter was returned to the family when William did not survive the sinking.
This poignant item inspired the astonishing ‘Sea Odyssey’, a three-day outdoor art performance, featuring giant marionettes who won the hearts of more than half a million people who followed their steps around the city in 2012.
Rebecca added:
“The enchanting ‘Sea Odyssey’ is a powerful example of how an object as simple as a child’s handwritten letter, provides deeper understanding and empathy towards a moment in time. It would be wonderful to uncover something similarly evocative and bring new insight into Liverpool’s role in the global story of Titanic when we reopen the gallery.”
Liverpool’s Maritime Museum (and International Slavery Museum) closed to the public for a major redevelopment project in January 2025, with both museums expected to reopen in 2029.
New galleries will tell Liverpool’s historic maritime stories alongside engaging contemporary perspectives, showing how the sea has shaped the city and its people.
A first-class passenger ticket, or boarding card, belonging to Reverend Stuart Holden, another star object from Maritime Museum’s collection, is currently on display in the World Museum exhibition, National Museums Liverpool at 40.
Categories: 2026 | Arts & Culture | Galleries & Exhibitions | Museums & Heritage
