Tales of the Titanic
Illustrated with many photographs of Staatsburgh and the Titanic, “Tales of the Titanic” shows how the rooms in Staatsburgh bear a striking resemblance to the First Class accommodations on the Titanic. The liner was designed to mirror the luxury that the millionaires were accustomed to in their lavish homes.
Staatsburgh’s owners, Ruth and Ogden Mills, had tickets to sail on the Titanic. Fortunately for them, their tickets were for the Titanic’s scheduled second crossing, the return trip from New York to Europe. When the ocean liner sank on its maiden voyage on April 15, 1912, Gilded Age aristocracy was rocked to its core. Among the many wealthy victims was Ruth Mills’ cousin and Rhinebeck neighbor John Jacob Astor, who was the richest man to die in the tragedy.
Don Fraser is the educator at Staatsburgh State Historic Site (Mills Mansion), where he develops and presents education programs for students and tours for the general public. His special tours include Gilded Age Scandals, Tales of the Titanic, and World War I and the End of the Gilded Age. He previously worked at Clermont, Washington’s Headquarters, and Fort Montgomery State Historic Sites. LOCATION: The Greenport Community Center, Town Hall Drive, Hudson NY. It’s the last building on the left, opposite Town Hall.