The Conservancy is excited to introduce our global community to one of our newest team members, James van Kuilenburg.
James van Kuilenburg is the SS United States Conservancy’s new Curatorial Associate. James has worked in museums big and small, archives, and libraries throughout the Mid-Atlantic. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Dickinson College. James is an award-winning researcher, author, and artist. Most recently, his research about circuses in 19th century Pennsylvania culminated in a one-person circus arts show.
Please join us in giving James a warm welcome. We are so excited to have him on our team!
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED WITH THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY?
I moved to Philadelphia for the history. I am an archivist and historian by training, with a focus on leisure, entertainment, and performing arts. When I learned that the SS United States was in Philly, I was immediately fascinated. I love learning about how people in the past had fun and made lasting family memories; these stories are integral to understanding America’s past and present.
WHAT IS YOUR ROLE AS THE CONSERVANCY'S CURATORIAL ASSOCIATE?
My job has a dual focus. First, I work with the Conservancy’s archival collections, organizing and cataloging. There are so many amazing objects and photos that passengers, crew, and families have donated over the years. My other focus is “activating” these collections to tell the fascinating, diverse stories of the SS United States through digital exhibits and outreach materials.
IN YOUR WORK WITH THE CONSERVANCY THUS FAR, WHAT IS MOST INTERESTING TO YOU?
The more I learn about the SS United States, the more I’m reminded of Walt Disney and the Disney parks. I didn’t grow up going on cruises, but I did visit a lot of amusement parks with my family as a child. The attention to detail, the theming of art and food, music and the performing arts, and the American-ness of it all, are all similarities I’ve noticed between the SS United States and Disney parks. And of course, Walt Disney himself traveled on the SS United States and filmed the movie Bon Voyage! on board.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THE CONSERVANCY IN THE FUTURE?
I’m looking forward to assessing the Conservancy’s collections and sharing more stories from the archive. I’d like to learn more about the history of performance and entertainment on board. Jazz musicians, puppeteers, singers, and magicians all performed on the SS United States, and I’d love to hear more about people’s memories of these experiences. There are so many rich opportunities to teach people about American history through the lens of the SS United States.