Titanic Branson owner opens Pigeon Forge museum

TV personality Regis Philbin was among the dignitaries on hand in Tennessee Thursday to celebrate the grand opening of Titanic Pigeon Forge, developed by Branson-based Cedar Bay Entertainment and owner John Joslyn.

The replica museum is a half-scale, three-deck reproduction of the ill-fated ship, similar to the museum that opened in Branson in 2005. The $25 million museum includes replicas of first-class cabins and a $1 million exact reproduction of the ship's grand staircase.

“We pay respect to Titanic by telling the story of the ship and her passengers,” Joslyn said in a news release announcing the opening. “Visitors learn the individual stories of those onboard the ship as they are learning about the ship itself."

In addition to a presentation by Philbin, who was also on hand for the opening of the Branson museum, grand opening festivities include a performance Friday by Liverpool Legends and a Saturday concert by country artist Neal McCoy with an accompanying fireworks display.

Joslyn told Springfield Business Journal in January that his company secured much of the funding for the project through the U.S. Department of Agriculture due to Pigeon Forge's rural location. He also said his company is planning a $50 million floating museum in New York, slated to open in 2012.[[In-content Ad]]