The discussion will focus on DeMass’ personal experiences with Titanic survivors and their families. This includes Elizabeth Gladys “Millvina” Dean, the last survivor of the Titanic who died in 2009 at the age of 97. He will also discuss Titanic orphans the Navertil brothers and the many artifacts on display in the museum’s temporary exhibit, “Titanic: Commemorating the 100th Anniversary.”
Here are some images from DeMass' first presentation:
The exhibit includes several pieces of DeMass’ personal collection, such as photographs, paintings, newspaper clippings and other affects associated with the ship and its survivors. There is a 16-foot fold-out book, “The Wallchart of the Titanic,” by Tom McCluskie that outlines the technical aspects of the ship. In addition to DeMass’ collection, a painting by artist Russell Porter titled, “Leaving the Coast of France, April 10, 1912, 9:30 p.m.” (1975) is on loan to the museum courtesy of the artist’s son Robert Porter of Auburn, New York.
The presentation and exhibit are part of a series of activities and programs leading up to the museum’s premier fund-raising event, “A Titanic Affair.” The gala will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ship on Saturday, April 14, 2012 at the American Foundry in Oswego.
A little more about the museum:
The H. Lee White Marine Museum, located on West First Street Pier in Oswego, was founded by Rosemary Nesbitt in 1982. It is named for Harris Lee White, a native Oswegonian, attorney, U.S. Navy Commander, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force during the Eisenhower administration, and the head of two world-wide shipping companies.
The museum is located in the former administration building of a 1920s state-of-the-art grain elevator complex. The grain elevator was demolished in 1998, while the administration building was retained by the Port of Oswego Authority and generously provided to the museum.
As the administration building for the grain elevator, the structure housed a machine shop, stock room, heating plant, main switchboard and superintendent’s office on the first floor. The second floor was made up of other offices and “welfare rooms” for the workmen. Traces of its original uses can still be seen by visitors on the main floor where a few of the ceiling-mounted, belt-driven pulleys of the old machine shop have been left in place.
Today, the building is filled with a treasure trove of paintings, models, artifacts and exhibits that tell the tale of Oswego’s 300 years of maritime history. See the “Lance Knapp,” the last steam-powered vessel on the Oswego Canal, and the “LT-5,” the last remaining large tugboat from the Normandy Invasion of World War II. The latter was named a National Historic Landmark in 1992 thanks to the heroic actions of her crew on D-Day.
The H. Lee White Marine Museum, located on West First Street Pier in Oswego, was founded by Rosemary Nesbitt in 1982. It is named for Harris Lee White, a native Oswegonian, attorney, U.S. Navy Commander, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force during the Eisenhower administration, and the head of two world-wide shipping companies.
The museum is located in the former administration building of a 1920s state-of-the-art grain elevator complex. The grain elevator was demolished in 1998, while the administration building was retained by the Port of Oswego Authority and generously provided to the museum.
As the administration building for the grain elevator, the structure housed a machine shop, stock room, heating plant, main switchboard and superintendent’s office on the first floor. The second floor was made up of other offices and “welfare rooms” for the workmen. Traces of its original uses can still be seen by visitors on the main floor where a few of the ceiling-mounted, belt-driven pulleys of the old machine shop have been left in place.
Today, the building is filled with a treasure trove of paintings, models, artifacts and exhibits that tell the tale of Oswego’s 300 years of maritime history. See the “Lance Knapp,” the last steam-powered vessel on the Oswego Canal, and the “LT-5,” the last remaining large tugboat from the Normandy Invasion of World War II. The latter was named a National Historic Landmark in 1992 thanks to the heroic actions of her crew on D-Day.
The "LT-5" welcomed replica ships Nina and Pinta in July 2011.
George DeMass’ presentation will take place on Sunday, November 13 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The Titanic exhibit will run through Wednesday, November 30. The museum is extending a special admission price of $5 for adults and $3 for children for these events. Seating is limited, so call the H. Lee White Marine Museum to make your reservations today!
For more information about the museum and its activities, call 315/342-0480, visit their Web site at http://www.hleewhitemarinemuseum.com/ or find them on facebook.
Cheers,
Kelly
For more information about the museum and its activities, call 315/342-0480, visit their Web site at http://www.hleewhitemarinemuseum.com/ or find them on facebook.
Cheers,
Kelly
