Titanic Historical Society facts for kids
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| Founded | July 7, 1963 |
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| Founders | Edward S. Kamuda (1939–2014) and five others |
| Focus | Preservation of the history of the famous ocean liner RMS Titanic |
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Members
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5,000 (as of 1997) |
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Historian
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Don Lynch |
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Vice President
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Paul Phaneuf |
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Formerly called
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Titanic Enthusiasts of America |
The Titanic Historical Society (THS) is a group that helps keep the history of the famous ship RMS Titanic alive. It started on July 7, 1963. The Titanic was a huge ocean liner that sank in 1912. This was one of the biggest ship disasters ever.
The THS publishes an online magazine called The Titanic Commutator. They also have a museum in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts. This museum shows items given by people who survived the Titanic disaster. It also has other cool things collected by the founder, Edward S. Kamuda. Members of the Society also enjoy an annual meeting. At this meeting, experts share lots of information about the Titanic.
Contents
How the Society Started and Grew
The group began in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts, USA. It was formed on July 7, 1963. Edward S. Kamuda and five other people started it. They first called it the Titanic Enthusiasts of America. Edward Kamuda was the President.
In 1968, the group had 125 members. These members ranged from teenagers to people almost 90 years old. Many became interested after reading Walter Lord's book, A Night to Remember. Membership grew slowly at first. By 1973, there were about 300 members.
By 1977, the group changed its name to the Titanic Historical Society. Membership had grown to 1,476 people. At that time, 35 people who had survived the disaster were still alive. Twenty years later, in 1997, the Society had 5,000 members.
For many years, the people who survived the Titanic's first trip were special guests. They attended the Society's yearly meetings. In 1992, the Society marked 80 years since the disaster. This event was held in Boston, Massachusetts. Several survivors came, including Eva Hart and Michel Marcel Navratil. They shared amazing stories about the night the Titanic sank. Walter Lord, who wrote A Night to Remember, was also a guest. Other speakers at these meetings included artist Ken Marschall and Robert Ballard. Robert Ballard found the wreck of the Titanic in 1985.
What the Society Does Today
The Titanic Historical Society does several important things:
- They publish an online magazine every three months. It is called The Titanic Commutator.
- They run the Titanic Museum in Indian Orchard. This museum has a large collection of items. These items were given by Titanic survivors. The Tampa Tribune called it the "largest collection of non-salvaged Titanic artifacts and memorabilia in the world."
- They hold a yearly meeting for members. Experts share detailed information about the Titanic disaster. You can also find Titanic items there.
The Society also works to save the history of other ocean liners. This includes the Titanic's sister ships. These were the White Star Line's Olympic and Britannic. The Britannic sank after hitting a mine in World War I. They also study the Cunard ship Lusitania. The Society also writes about other famous ships. These include the Queen Mary and Normandie. These articles appear in The Titanic Commutator magazine.
News groups often ask the Society for information when the Titanic is in the news. On the 75th anniversary of the sinking, the Society's president explained why people are still interested. He said people admire the courage and heroism shown that night. In 1994, Edward Kamuda and Society Historian Don Lynch appeared in a TV show. It was called Titanic: The Complete Story. In 1997, the Society helped with the movie Titanic. Some members even appeared in the film as extras.
The Society supports exploring the Titanic wreck. However, they do not want items taken from the ship. In 2005, they said the wreck is a "gravesite." They believe it should be treated as a memorial to those who died. The Titanic Historical Society and the Titanic International Society work together. They join the U.S. Coast Guard and the International Ice Patrol. Every April 15, they drop a wreath over the spot where the Titanic rests.
The Titanic Museum
The Society runs the Titanic Museum in Indian Orchard, Massachusetts. It has a large collection of items. These items were given by people who survived the Titanic. Edward Kamuda started this collection. The Tampa Tribune has called it the "largest collection of non-salvaged Titanic artifacts and memorabilia in the world."
About The Titanic Commutator Magazine
Since 1963, the Society has sent a magazine to its members. It is called The Titanic Commutator. At first, it was a simple newsletter. It was sent to 200 people. Over the years, it grew bigger and better. It became a full-color magazine with about 50 pages. It shares new information about the Titanic. It also tells stories about passengers. The magazine also covers other famous ships from the "Golden Age" of ocean travel.
When James Cameron's movie Titanic was made, the magazine shared many behind-the-scenes details. These were things not shown in the movie. After the February–April 2020 issue, the Society stopped printing the magazine. However, an online version is still available for members. Karen Kamuda, Edward Kamuda's widow, is still the editor.
More to Explore
- Titanic International Society
See also
In Spanish: Sociedad Histórica del Titanic para niños
