Watkins Glen, NY (WENY) -- Schuyler County native Elizabeth Rothschild and her husband Martin were aboard the Titanic on its fateful first trip in April of 1912. Elizabeth and her dog were able to escape in a lifeboat when the ship went down in the North Atlantic, but Martin was not so lucky. 

“For many of the people here in Schuyler County, it's a fascinating story with someone local that was connected to the Titanic, especially since it was such an elite ship, very few small town people would have been impacted by that particular story,” said Heather O'Grady- Evans, executive director of museums for the Schuyler County Historical Society. 

The Schuyler County historical society has helped keep Rothschild's legacy alive through extensive records on her life and impact in the area. Original newspaper articles, photos and stories are all part of their collection. 

“People have in recent memory quite a few experiences of celebrating the titanic that fateful day and connecting it to Schuyler County,” Heather added.  

After surviving the Titanic, Rothschild spent a lot of time involved and giving back to the Watkins Glen community. She is fondly remembered as always having a smile on her face and being very generous despite often wearing black to mourn her late husband. 

“Over [Elizabeth’s] later years, [she] was a very wonderful benefactor to the community as a whole. She enjoyed entertaining, she enjoyed throwing small picnics for people, and invited people into her home. Despite the fame of the Titanic, and what it brought to her, she truly stayed connected to the local community and those around her, and her family and friends,” said Heather. 

Rothschild is buried in Saint Mary's Cemetery, in the only mausoleum on the property. The burial site also includes a memorial to her husband Martin.  

The Schuyler County Historical Society has more information on Rothschild and her life at the Brick Tavern Museum. For more information please visit here.