One hundred years ago this April, the world witnessed one of history’s greatest disasters, the sinking of the Titanic.   It is a little-known fact that twelve passengers were bound for Akron when the ship sank on that fateful night.  All were from Cornwall, England a region of that country that supplied nearly 1,000 emigrants to Summit County, many of whom worked in Akron’s booming rubber industry.  The Akron-Summit County Public Library and the Akron Symphony Orchestra are working together to honor this event and the brave individuals who called Akron home.  On Saturday, April 14, the Akron Symphony will present Titanic the Musical at the Akron Civic Theater.  In addition, the Library and the Symphony are collaborating to present two free events, A Tour of the Titanic.  Join us on Tuesday, April 10 at 6 p.m in the Main Library Auditorium for a lively discussion and musical selections from the production.  This program will be repeated at our Tallmadge Branch on Wednesday, April 11 at 1 p.m.  Be sure to visit Special Collections to view From Cornwall to Akron: Summit County’s Titanic Passengers, an exhibit which documents the stories of those Akron-bound passengers and Akron’s Cornish community.  Pictured below is a photograph of Addie Wells and her two young children, Ralph and Joan who traveled on the Titanic to be reuinted with their husband and father, Arthur Wells (pictured on right) who had emigrated the year before.  Arthur’s brother, William is on the left.  Photograph courtesy of Iris Stacey.

Filed under: Local History, Other Organizations, Programs Tagged:Akron,Cornwall,Ohio,Summit County,Titanic,Titanic Commemoration,Titanic Survivors