SS United States Conservancy

Preserving History and Propelling Ingenuity

The SS United States Conservancy preserves and interprets the legacy of America’s greatest ocean liner, the SS United States — honoring the ingenuity of her designers and builders, the stories of her crew and passengers, and the promise she holds for future generations.

Since 2009, we have maintained a world-class curatorial collection of SS United States archival materials and artifacts, presented engaging in-person and digital exhibitions, and captured and shared oral histories of those with first-hand connections to the ship.

We’re developing the SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience, based in Okaloosa County, Florida, to celebrate the ship’s innovative design, place in American maritime and post-war history, and benefit to the marine ecosystem of the Gulf Coast as the World’s Largest Artificial Reef.

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OUR WORK

Photos B&W
America's Flagship
America's Flagship

The SS United States, the world's fastest ocean liner, isn't just a marvel of technology: she's a living icon of the American dream. She represents the power of freedom, hard work, common purpose, and innovation.

Learn more here!

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NEW! "Food and Dining Aboard the SS United States"
NEW! "Food and Dining Aboard the SS United States"

See never-before-seen artifacts and objects from the Conservancy's collections and learn about how passengers feasted on the seas in our newest digital exhibition.

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Bon Voyage, Big U
Bon Voyage, Big U

Every time the SS United States prepared to sail, thousands of people gathered to wish their friends, family, and neighbors "bon voyage." As we prepare for the Big U’s forthcoming transformation, we invite you to share your message to the SS United States.

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Oral History Projects
Oral History Projects

We have connected with hundreds of former officers and crew members, builders, designers, passengers, maritime historians, and ship enthusiasts to help preserve the legacy of the Big U. These moving stories collected over the last decade preserve the first- hand accounts of the thrill of serving and sailing on board America’s Flagship.

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LATEST NEWS

Featured News
Second Major Art Donation This Year
Second Major Art Donation This Year

The Conservancy is thrilled to announce an incredible new acquisition to our curatorial collection – a stunning mid-century installation mural originally mounted in the Cabin Class Smoking room aboard the SS United States created by abstract artist Lewis York.

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Times-Picayune Coverage of the Conservancy's Future Museum
Times-Picayune Coverage of the Conservancy's Future Museum

The Times-Picayune reported on the enormous public interest in the SS United States and the Conservancy's exciting plans for a future museum and visitor experience.

Photo of the SS United States from 2025 courtesy of Nathanael Miller.

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New Donation Honors Champion of Big U's Legacy
New Donation Honors Champion of Big U's Legacy

The Conservancy’s curatorial collection continues to expand as we advance our museum development plans. A new major addition to our collection was recently gifted by Conservancy co-founder and advisory council member Mark Perry, who has granted original and sentimental items from the SS United States to the Conservancy.

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Southern Living: America's fastest ship ever is about to make waves again.
Southern Living: America's fastest ship ever is about to make waves again.

Southern Living’s recent article celebrated the SS United States and shared about the Conservancy's plans for our future SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience.

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Daily Express: "The Fastest and Most Beautiful Ship in the World"
Daily Express: "The Fastest and Most Beautiful Ship in the World"

The United Kingdom’s Daily Express spotlighted the SS United States in a recent article about the ship’s record-breaking service career. Irene Richards, a former United States Lines employee who worked in the advertising and publicity department at the company’s London office, was interviewed for the piece.

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All proceeds support the Conservancy.