Titanic discoverer Dr. Robert Ballard, who chose Peoria to unveil new secrets of the discovery, presents his findings in person at the museum

PEORIA, Ill., Sept. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In collaboration with the discoverer of the RMS Titanic, Dr. Robert "Bob" Ballard, the Peoria Riverfront Museum announces the world premiere of Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission, presented by CEFCU, opening Saturday, September 27, 2025, through January 4, 2026. Dr. Ballard chose Peoria for the world premiere of his touring exhibition, produced by Flying Fish in collaboration with his Ocean Exploration Trust.

At the heart of the experience is Dr. Robert Ballard, the legendary marine geologist, oceanographer, naval officer, and deep-sea explorer, who led the 1985 expedition that discovered the wreck of the RMS Titanic.

For the first time, the now-declassified story of Ballard's top-secret U.S. Navy mission is shared publicly, revealing how a covert Cold War operation to investigate two lost nuclear submarines led to one of the most important maritime discoveries in history.

"We are proud to announce the world premiere of a new exhibition, coming first to the Peoria Riverfront Museum: Dr. Robert Ballard's Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission, with the generous support of presenting sponsor CEFCU, opens September 27, 2025," said John D. Morris, Peoria Riverfront Museum president and CEO.

Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission tells the story of the Titanic's discovery through the unique lens of Ballard's classified Navy assignment to document the wreck sites of two nuclear submarines – USS Thresher and USS Scorpion – under the cover story of searching for the Titanic. Each section unpacks how the seemingly impossible was achieved, highlighting the extraordinary challenges Ballard and his team faced along the way.

"For the first time ever, we will tell and show you things you have never seen and heard before about our discovery of the RMS Titanic and the Cold War story that led to its discovery, that continues to give up its secrets," said Dr. Robert Ballard. "Produced by Flying Fish and my Ocean Exploration Trust, it's a powerful, behind-the-scenes look at this historic event, which became one of the most important maritime discoveries ever made. I can't wait to share this experience with you. See you there!"

Uncover hidden history, examine real objects from the expedition, and be part of this story of espionage, innovation, discovery, and an emotional, high-stakes journey through Cold War history and maritime legend. Experience the breakthrough technologies that revolutionized deep-sea exploration and set new standards for future discoveries.

"This story has never been more relevant – a Cold War secret, cutting-edge science, and one of the greatest discoveries of all time," said Jay Brown, Principal and Managing Director of Flying Fish. "We're honored to bring it to life with Dr. Ballard and our partners, his Ocean Exploration Trust, and we can't wait for Peoria to be the first to experience it."

Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission is a traveling exhibition produced and toured internationally by Flying Fish in collaboration with Ocean Exploration Trust.

Finding Titanic: The Secret Mission is presented by CEFCU.

The exhibition is sponsored by Gilmore Foundation, OLLI Bradley University, Merle and Adeline Dargel Fund for Science and Engineering, Gretchen Hagen Petrakis, and Corporate Visionary Society Council.

Information available at www.peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.

Contact
COO Matt Daughenbaugh at MDaughenbaugh@peoriariverfrontmuseum.org.
Peoria Riverfront Museum, 222 SW Washington St, Peoria, IL 61602, United States

About Flying Fish
At Flying Fish, we believe exhibitions can do more. As a leading producer of traveling exhibitions for over a decade, we partner with world-class museums and science centers to create extraordinary, impactful experiences. Our exhibitions have welcomed over ten million visitors, showcasing the wonders of science, history, culture, and more. We are dedicated to making exceptional, authentic content accessible to all while driving sustainable revenue growth for our clients. By empowering institutions to share their stories globally, we amplify their missions and expand their influence. Whether developing a new exhibition or adapting existing content for international tours, Flying Fish is more than just a service provider—we are a trusted partner in elevating our clients' reach and impact. For Museums. By Museums.
flyingfishexhibits.com.

About Ocean Exploration Trust
Ocean Exploration Trust (OET) and the Nautilus Exploration Program aim to explore the ocean, seeking out new discoveries in the fields of geology, biology, maritime history, archaeology, and chemistry while pushing the boundaries of education, outreach, and technological innovation. Our expeditions center on scientific exploration of the seafloor, collaborating with the broader research community to identify priority regions and phenomena, and sharing our expeditions with explorers around the world via live telepresence at nautiluslive.org.

About Peoria Riverfront Museum
The Peoria Riverfront Museum is the only multidisciplinary institution of its kind in the nation combining art, science, history, and achievement. The museum is dedicated to using its collections, exhibitions, giant screen theater, dome planetarium, and programming to tell the stories that build confidence, spark life-long learning, and unleash the full talent and genius of every individual.

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SOURCE Peoria Riverfront Museum