To whom this may concern,

I have just finished coming from the RMS Titanic Inc. exhibit currently housed at the Rochester Museum of Science of course in Rochester New York. I had the privilege of attending a showing of what we thought was the very same exhibition while in Tampa Florida in 2004. We were in for a surprise.

In comparison the Rochester exhibit paled to say the least in comparison. At Rochester, the setting was small. We were greeted at the door by two of the museum staff who barked out orders like Barney Phyfe would have. Making the first portion of this experience, cold. Once inside many of the expressions that were evidence at the Tampa showing in 2004 were blatantly missing at the Rochester Museum.

At Tampa you were greeted by two persons in character of the time period. You were greeted by the name on your boarding pass. (In Rochester the staff called them tickets) The Tampa greeting setting was one of what appeared a small portion of the outside of the ship with entrance door. It gave you the feel and appearance of entering the real ship. Once you passed the greeters in Tampa, you walked down a long corroder about 20 yards long. It was designed as a passageway of the first class to include doors to the cabins and fine carpet on the floor with, yes a ceiling.

During the Tampa visit one view not only 1st, 2ed and 3rd class rooms but the French Café and 1st class dining room (limited in size of course) and not pictures on a wall. We also gazed on what was a reproduction of the Grand Stair case.

None of the Tampa experience was evident at Rochester. My wife and I had waited for the exhibit to come to our area. We had been so excited by our Tampa visit that we brought 7 other people with us. To say that we were disappointed with the Rochester exhibit and the way it was presented is an understatement.

The rooms were also crowed and very warm. The viewing areas were cramped and once exiting; we expected to find the elaborate display of gifts for sale. Blankets, plates, pictures, pennants’, clothing and so forth which was readily available in Tampa. Rochester had a few cups, limited books and that was it. We were told that they had sold out. But I saw the store room with about a dozen of unopened boxes with Titanic plates marked as inside but they were also marked “not to be opened”.

The price of entry for the exhibit was disgraceful.

You as either RMS Titanic Inc or any museum such as the Rochester Museum have a responsibility to the public, to historians and mostly to the memory to those 1500 dead. Many who remain on board. This Rochester exhibit was distasteful and if I could do it again, I would not have spent the money on us and our 7 friends. I apologized to them for my buildup of the event and the failure of you to hold up your end of the bargain. I also apologized to the memory of those still on board.

Respectfully,

John R Tucker Sr.

Cuba, NY 14717