Commemorating 100 years since the legendary Titanic set sail from the port of Southampton on 10 April 2012, the iconic SeaCity Museum has opened its doors to the public.

The eyes of the world were on two Southampton school boys this lunchtime as they cut the ribbon to officially open the eagerly-anticipated attraction exactly 100 years after their great grandfather, crew member George Kemish, set sail on the Titanic from the city.

William and Henry Ward (ages eight and six), whose great grandfather survived the tragedy, were guests of honour at the opening of the iconic new museum, which celebrates the city’s maritime heritage and commemorates the crew of the Titanic through its three galleries: Gateway to the World, Southampton’s Titanic Story and Titanic the Legend.

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The £15m project work to create SeaCity Museum was carried out by Kier Construction and involved converting Southampton’s Grade II* listed former Magistrates’ Courts building at the Civic Centre into exhibition space and public areas including a café and gift shop.

A newly-built pavilion provides an extension to the museum and houses the SeaCity Special Exhibition Area which is currently hosting ‘Titanic the Legend’ but has been designed so that it can host other temporary exhibitions in future years.

The SeaCity Museum not only tells the captivating story of the Titanic and the impact the tragedy had on families in the city, but also showcases Southampton’s maritime past from prehistorc times to the present day.

With interactive features and fascinating exhibits, the museum makes history accessible and interesting for visitors of all ages and is the fitting centrepiece to the city’s new Cultural Quarter.

(CD/GK)