What do an orphan train rider, a kidnapper, a betrayed wife, a church missionary, a wealthy businessman, a land baron’s wife, a maid, a farmer, a college student, an immigrant and a newspaper reporter have in common?

They all had ties to Iowa, and their stories would forever become intertwined with the saga of the opulent Titanic, which struck an iceberg and plunged to the bottom of the North Atlantic in 1912.

Iowa author Darcy Dougherty Maulsby will bring these stories to life on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at the Wieting Theatre (101 South Church Street) in Toledo for the free program featuring “Iowa’s Lost History on the Titanic,” starting at 6:30 p.m., with a reception to follow.

“The humanity of these captivating stories conveys a drama more complex, intriguing and poignant than any work of fiction. These true tales also reflect the long reach of history,” said Maulsby, Iowa’s Storyteller, who has been featured in the Iowa History Journal, Our Iowa magazine, Iowa Public Radio, Iowa PBS and more. “Even though the Titanic sank more than a century ago, the aftershocks continue to reverberate more than a century later.”

More than 20 men, women and children from all walks of life shared ties to Iowa and the Titanic. Some were wealthy first-class passengers like Cedar Rapids natives Walter and Mahala Douglas returning home from an extended vacation in Europe. Others were second-class passengers, including the Caldwell family, church missionaries who were returning to the Midwest from Asia. Still others were third-class immigrants seeking a new start in America, lured by jobs in Iowa’s farms and coal mines.

They had ties to communities small and large across Iowa, including Allerton, Boone, Burlington, Cedar Rapids, Central City, Cherokee, Council Bluffs, Davenport, Des Moines, Hamburg, Manchester, Mystic, Red Oak, Sanborn, Stanton and Story City.

Before dawn broke on April 15, 1912, some of these people of the Titanic would perish. Others would demonstrate the one thing they had in common–courage. Some survivors would manage to chart a new course for their future, while others would struggle with haunting questions and shattered dreams for the rest of their lives.

“As you explore these largely forgotten Iowa stories, you’ll discover there’s something endlessly spellbinding about the Titanic,” Maulsby said. “Once it grabs ahold of you, there is no turning back.”

Maulsby will take orders for signed copies of “Iowa’s Lost History on the Titanic.” Maulsby’s other non-fiction, illustrated Iowa history books will be available on the day of the program (including “A Culinary History of Iowa,” “Iowa Agriculture,” “The Lincoln Highway in Iowa: A History,” “Classic Restaurants of Des Moines,” “Madison County,” “Calhoun County” and “Dallas County”).