SS United States Conservancy to Convene Panel Discussion About America’s Flagship and It’s Influence on American Culture
(PHILADELPHIA, PA) – As part of the SS United States Conservancy’s ongoing digital exhibition, Advertising the United States: Discovering America’s Flagship through Prints, Posters, and Advertisements, the national nonprofit dedicated to saving the SS United States will host an panel discussion with scholars and curators from multiple disciplines to examine the connections between the iconic ship and post war tourism, travel, advertising, and design.
Titled “Opulent Crossings: Post War Tourism, Advertising and Design,” the panel discussion will build upon the digital exhibition’s work to examine the pivotal role America’s Flagship played as a global ambassador for the country and its brands in the post-World War II economic boom and subsequent social movements of the 1960s.
Scheduled for 6:00 pm Eastern Time on Wednesday, August 11, 2021, Opulent Crossings will feature discussion by curator Daniel Finamore, Associate Director–Exhibitions and the Russell W. Knight Curator of Maritime Art and History at the Peabody Essex Museum, internationally renowned fashion historian Raissa Bretaña, and Richard K. Popp, the author of The Holiday Makers: Magazines, Advertising, and Mass Tourism in Postwar America.
“People around the world continue to view the SS United States as a pioneering American creation, because her impact was felt far beyond the people who walked her decks. She truly was an inspiration that drew interest from around the globe,” said Susan Gibbs, President of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of the ship’s famed designer, William Francis Gibbs. “Since opening our digital exhibition, thousands of visitors have shared their memories and passion for the fastest passenger liner to cross the Atlantic. The ship exemplified American life, through its innovative design, and revolutionary technology. The ship also vividly conveyed the nation's evolving and enduring cultural and social ideals.”
Exhibition curator Sydney Sheehan said, “Advertising the United States has engaged our community and encouraged visitors to look deeper into how the intricate, exciting, and often beautiful visualizations of the United States impacted our memory of the vessel and the larger world. This panel discussion gives participants the chance to see how these ideas overlap in other historical themes. The SS United States truly portrayed the very best of her country and that use of national pride was felt beyond the bow of the ship. We are grateful for our esteemed panel’s participation and look forward to an engaging conversation.”
Those wishing to register for the virtual panel discussion can do so at: https://www.ssusc.org/events/2021/08/11/panel-discussion-opulent-crossings.
Since acquiring title to America’s Flagship a decade ago, the SS United States Conservancy has raised resources to keep the ship safely afloat and advance prospects for her redevelopment as a stationary mixed-use destination. The group has also built a world-class curatorial collection, which will serve as the foundation for an exciting museum and center for innovation on board the redeveloped vessel. Today, the Conservancy has grown a global community of supporters from every state and more than 40 countries to help protect the fastest ocean liner in history and the largest built in the United States.
Those wishing to support the Conservancy’s curatorial work or help save the ship can learn more at www.SSUSC.org.
ABOUT THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
A national nonprofit organization, the SS United States Conservancy leads the global effort to save and repurpose America’s Flagship, the SS United States. The Conservancy raises public awareness and financial resources for the maintenance, restoration and ultimate reuse of this iconic vessel and works to ensure that the fastest ocean liner ever to cross the Atlantic remains an inspiration for generations to come. For more information about the SS United States Conservancy and America's Flagship, visit www.ssusc.org or the Conservancy's Facebook page.
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