Dec 9, 2016 -- Major Milestones from 2016

The SS United States Conservancy has achieved many major milestones over the past year:

• Our efforts to save the SS United States received marquee coverage from major media outlets around the world, including the New York Times, National Geographic, Fox News, the Associated Press, USA Today, CBS News, NBC Nightly News, NPR, and many more.
• We expanded our permanent collections, including adding over 600 artifacts from the Mariners’ Museum of Newport News, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the estate of Dr. Sara Forbes, and the collection of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hunnicutt, III.
• We further advanced our museum planning efforts, including hosting an intensive museum design session with the Conservancy’s curatorial team, preservationists, digital specialists, historians, architects, and marine engineers.
• We expanded our online presence with the launch of a new blog “Call Sign KJEH”, and enhanced our member newsletter. Our Facebook fans now number almost 18,000.
• We organized a festive crew reunion and celebration in Philadelphia that attracted supporters from across the nation. More inspiring events are planned for 2017.

As the year draws to a close, the Conservancy continues to advance redevelopment plans for the SS United States. Extensive new feasibility studies and technical assessments garnered through the Crystal Cruises option agreement have proved to be a valuable resource in ongoing talks with a number of developers and cities. To read more about these efforts in our annual appeal letter, click here.While redevelopment plans progress, the Conservancy is continuing to showcase the ship’s history, build our curatorial collections, and educate the public about her legacy -- to learn more about our education and outreach initiatives, click here. As the Conservancy works to secure a bright future for the SS United States, we still have to pay for the ship’s upkeep. You can play a pivotal role in saving the “Big U” for future generations, and introducing her legacy to new audiences, by joining the thousands of SS United States Conservancy members who help keep the greatest ship afloat with their generous donations. Click here to make your contribution today.

Dec. 7 2016 -- NEO Music Scene: Exploring the SS United States

"Every so often something so rock and roll comes past our desk that we just can’t pass it up," writes journalist and photographer Brian Lumley. Lumley, who primarily covers the music scene in Cleveland, Ohio, recently got the opportunity to tour the SS United States."Too much of America’s cultural history has been lost to neglect. We shouldn’t endorse the loss of such a fine example of 20th century ingenuity and power. Conceived in a time when America was at the height of our economic, engineering and inventive powers, this post-war gem represents everything that truly made this country shine. Maybe her rescue and rebirth could herald another such time."Click here to read Lumley's evocative description of his visit to the ship and view the photos he took during the tour.

Nov 23, 2016 -- Penn Live: Memories of the SS United States

A news team from PennLive was on hand at our crew reunion in September to interview attendees about what the SS United States means to them. You can now watch stories from five individuals -- Heinz Bayer, who emigrated from Germany aboard the SS United States; Joe Rota, a long-time crew hand; Harold Goldfarb, who once served as the ship's surgeon; and Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the ship's designer, William Francis Gibbs, and the Conservancy's executive director.Click here to watch those interviews.