VOLO, IL – April 15, 2024 – The Volo Museum, known for its vast collection of exhibits, is also well known for reports of paranormal activity on the property by guests, employees and the Grams family, which owns the museum.
Amid intense thunderstorms in the Chicagoland area Tuesday night, the museum’s Titanic exhibit unexpectedly flooded, marking only the second time the building has taken on water in more than 40 years. The unusual coincidence: The flooding occurred on the exact anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking on April 14, 1912.
“The irony of any Titanic exhibit flooding is strange enough, but the fact that ours flooded on the exact anniversary of the Titanic’s sinking is more than ironic; it’s almost paranormal,” said Jim Wojdyla, marketing director for the Volo Museum.
Adding to the mystery, thorough inspections revealed no cracks in the foundation, broken pipes, roof leaks or other obvious points of entry, leaving no clear explanation for the incident.
After discovering the flooding Wednesday morning, staff took immediate action to protect valuable displays and artifacts. The collection includes authentic fashion pieces and artifacts from the Titanic era, as well as more than $6 million worth of vehicles once owned by prominent Titanic passengers, including John Jacob Astor, Benjamin Guggenheim and Lady Duff Gordon.
“This is the second time our Titanic museum has flooded,” Wojdyla said. “The first time occurred during its opening year, and now again on the anniversary. I’m not sure what to make of the coincidence, but it’s enough to give us goosebumps.”
The first flooding incident went viral, drawing attention from national news programs and Travel Channel’s Paranormal Caught on Camera. Other unexplained occurrences at the museum have been featured on Discovery Channel’s Ghost Hunters. During a filmed episode at the museum, investigators reported experiencing unexplained phenomena.
The Volo Museum and Titanic exhibit are open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information and ticket options, visit volofun.com.