When Duncan Lauer was growing up, he and his dad would talk about the history of the Titanic. “He was a huge fan of the ship—now he’s jealous that I work here,” Lauer says, smiling. Ten months ago, Lauer joined Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition at Luxor, where he works as an artifact specialist.
Lauer’s love for history and learning outside of the classroom has guided his career, which includes working at various museums and being a documentarian. “I thought working in museums would make a nice career, to create a space for education that feels less formal and constricting than a classroom,” he says. “The nice thing about museums is it’s similar to documentaries in that it combines aspects of art and education in order to teach people things in a way that maybe people will enjoy and be open to.”
Normally, guests can find Lauer all around the exhibition, interacting with guests and answering any questions about the history of the ship and the more than 350 artifacts on display. But through Oct. 31, Lauer is stepping up his role by guiding guests through the timely, “Omens, Premonitions & Superstitions,” an add-on tour through the exhibit where he’ll share eerie stories from surviving passengers of the ship and some stories from their family members.
“You’re not just looking at the placards and reading the stories and facts—you’re getting something extra with this special tour, you’re getting more stories,” Lauer says. “Like Captain Smith’s wife saying she saw her husband’s figure in the drawing room the night he passed away and that’s how she knew he died. We tell what was reported. Was it omens or superstitions? There are tons of different stories that you can make your own determination about them.”
Photo by: Christopher DeVargas
Product: Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition Retail
At the end of the self-guided exhibit, stop by the retail store and take a piece of the experience home. Browse through items like replicas of the first-class China, stuffed animals and recovered pieces of coal from the ship’s final resting place 2.5 miles beneath the ocean’s surface.
Benefit: Buy a ticket for Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition and get Bodies … The Exhibition tickets (next door) for 75% off!
Luxor, 702.262.4400. luxor.mgmresorts.com
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