Explore the Titanic Drawing Offices For Heritage Open Days (13 & 14 Sept)
On 13 & 14 September as part of European Heritage Open Days (EHOD), over 400 properties across Northern Ireland will open their doors, free of charge, so that people can get a unique chance to have a look inside. Titanic Foundation will be opening the doors to the Drawing Offices and welcoming local artists; historian Paul Louden-Brown, consultant to James Cameron’s blockbuster film ‘Titanic’; the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society; and our very own Titanic Enthusiasts. We would love to hear everyone’s personal connection to the building, whether your father or grandfather worked there, if you attended events there, or whether you just love the architecture.
On Saturday from 11am to 5pm our Titanic Enthusiast, Rev Chris Bennett, Chaplain to Titanic Quarter will be in the building, talking to people about the Drawing Offices and how they featured in the past history of the shipyard, and how they now fit into the fast developing Titanic Quarter. Chris has a collection of documents, papers and furniture from the Drawing Offices on display in the Dock Café, which he will be bringing back to the Drawing Offices for the weekend. Chris can state with confidence he has been in every room of the building!!
Chris highlights, “Standing in the Drawing Offices sends shivers down my spine every time. The people working here with pencil and paper a hundred years ago dreamt the biggest dreams Belfast has ever seen and then got to watch those pencil-and-paper dreams become metal-and-rivet reality through their office window.”
There will be a ‘pop-up’ exhibition by the Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, showcasing 20 of the best practice ‘Buildings at Risk’ success stories. The display promotes the potential of our vacant and most vulnerable historic buildings, highlighting the ‘art of the possible’ in the historic Titanic Drawing Offices. The event draws on both art and heritage to actively promote positive public interest in our historic buildings. Come along and see how our vacant historic buildings can be used in the short and long term, securing their future and bringing them back to life.
There is also an exciting opportunity to draw your way round our Maritime Heritage, with a fully tutored day of location drawing with artist Julie Douglas. Locations include SS Nomadic, the Drawing Offices and the Titanic’s Dock & Pump-house. All levels welcome and booking is essential, email julie@juliedouglas.co.uk.
On Sunday from 12 to 5pm, Paul Louden-Brown will be in the Drawing Offices. Paul is a published authority on passenger liners and in particular the history of the White Star Line. He was a consultant to James Cameron’s blockbuster film ‘Titanic’ and is presently working on a definitive history of the White Star Line and a number of shipwreck projects. Paul has spent a lot of time in the Drawing Offices identifying key heritage features that are similar to those you would have found on the Olympic Class liners and many of H&W’s other ships.
While you’re in Titanic Quarter, don’t forget to check out the Harbour Commissioners Office, the Public Records Office, T13 Urban Sports Academy and Titanic’s little sister the SS Nomadic all have lots happening. For information visit online at discovernorthernireland.com/niea/ehod.
