May 1, 2025, marks the 110th anniversary of the great ocean liner Lusitania’s final departure from New York before her tragic sinking a few days later. She set sail from the very same pier that the survivors of the Titanic arrived at when they finally made it to New York in 1912. What would the passengers of these great liners have seen and experienced?

Today it’s reborn as a beautiful site for recreation after decades of decay, but over a hundred years ago the Hudson River waterfront was the place where New York cemented its place as one of the world’s greatest cities. Cargo, commuters, and international passengers jostled with dock workers, freighters, ferries, railroads, and giant ocean liners.

Join us for a walking tour along the waterfront to explore how this dynamic waterfront worked in the age of Titanic, Lusitania, and fellow floating palaces that once docked there.

About Your Guide:

William Roka is the Director of Programs at Village Preservation. He is also an independent historian and writer. His research has focused on the history of travel and ocean liners in the early 20th century and has presented at conferences in the United Kingdom, Argentina, Australia, and across the United States.