Titanic 100-Year Anniversary Display Put on in Bryn Athyn

The story of the Titanic is universally known through textbooks, personal historical accounts and even an Academy Award winning movie.  Even though it’s been a century since the epic disaster, the ship still piques the interest of the public.

To celebrate the 100-year anniversary, the is having a that will include items evocative of and from the era, historical facts, written testimonies of survivors, music and silent auction items. All of the items have been donated throughout the years and the majority of them will be for sale.

It’s a rare, nighttime shopping opportunity at BATS on April 2 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop has put on Titanic displays before, but the 100th anniversary will bring out some never before seen items that have been donated over the years.

“Because it’s the 100th anniversary, we’ve been saving things for more than a year now when they’ve come in,” B.A.T.S volunteer Brenna Synnestvedt said. “There are items that are evocative of the era, and then actually predating 1912 as well.”

Some of the items on display will include big steamer trunks, antique clocks, picture frames and clothes from the era. There are also numerous small trinkets from the early 1900’s, all of which have been donated to the shop.

“We’ve collected so many neat things over the years – things reminiscent of the time,” event representative Leslee DeWald said. “Basically the event has evolved over the years and we made it educational.”

According to DeWald, about 95 to 98 percent of the items will be for sale.

Part of the display will also include a tuxedo cutaway with tails and a life preserver evoking the image of what most people looked like as the boat was going down. There will be music playing in the background that was actually playing on the Titanic as well.

“It’s quite moving. People come in and stop talking,” Synnestvedt said. “Even normally, it’s quite powerful (and the 100th year) will be even more so.”

View the Titanic Redux film of previous Titanic display at the Bryn Athyn Thrift Shop.