It is with profound sadness that the Conservancy shares the passing of Barbara Katz, a passionate supporter of the SS United States and whose family had longstanding connections with America’s Flagship. Her parents and grandparents were all passengers on the ship’s record-breaking maiden voyage.
Ms. Katz, a Baltimore philanthropist whose interests ranged from historical to cultural and education, was the first woman to serve as president of what was then the Maryland Historical Society. In addition to the historical society, she immersed herself as an active board member of the Baltimore Museum of Art, Baltimore Symphony, the Friends School, and the Jewish Museum of Maryland, where she had also served as its first female president from 1989 to 1991.
In 2016, Barbara Katz coordinated a $100,000 donation to the SS United States Conservancy from the Boston Metals Foundation, in honor of her grandfather, Morris Schapiro, and the significant role ships played in his life. Schapiro was the founder of the Boston Metals Company, and its subsidiary Baldt Anchor, Chain & Forge, manufactured the anchors and forged steel anchor chains for the SS United States, as well as for World War II’s legendary Liberty ships.
At the time of the donation, Ms. Katz said, "I’m in love with history, and I can trace it back to him [Morris Schapiro]. I know he was very close with General Franklin [the head of United States Lines] and proud to be part of the story of the SS United States. A romance and obsession with ships has been passed on in the family for generations.”
Photograph courtesy of Jeffrey Katz.
Barbara’s son, Jeff, is a renowned photographer, who has documented a number of major military and commercial vessels, including the SS United States. This photo depicts the SS United States’ anchor room.
Through the donation Ms. Katz facilitated, the Conservancy was able to make major advances in its curatorial and preservation programs. Funds from the gift enabled the Conservancy to acquire the suite of furniture from the ship's Captain's Quarters that will be returned to the restored vessel for public display. Funds will also contribute to the restoration and display of part of the vessel’s legendary steam powerplant as part of an immersive visitor experience.