"The Ocean Liner United States: Celebrating the Past and Future of America's Flagship" opened on May 18 at the Forbes Galleries, New York. The exhibition is free and open to the public from 10am - 4pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The Galleries are located at 60 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.The wonderful exhibition features an exquisite collection of over 120 artifacts, including china, furniture, artwork and documents from the ship's top-secret design. The treasures include Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren's original plaques of American birds that once hung in a first class suite; private papers from the vessel's designer, William Francis Gibbs, as well as from Commodore John Anderson, the ship's longest-serving captain, and photos and recollections from various passengers and crewmembers. The exhibition also draws attention to the SS United States Conservancy's efforts to rescue and restore the SS United States and develop a major shipboard museum.Peachy Deegan's society column covered the festivities, and included a video of some of the evening's remarks. To read, please go here!Linda Coffman of CruiseDiva also provided sterling coverage of the event. To read her column, please go here!Highlights of the show and the kick-off opening reception will be shared in the coming days, but we encourage you to head straight to the Forbes Galleries and view the show!
May 9, 2012 - SS United States Redevelopment Project Extends Deadline For Request For Qualifications
This past April, the SS United States Redevelopment Project (SSUSRP) announced the release of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ), the first step in an aggressive campaign to identify a developer to repurpose the SS United States as a 21st century waterfront destination. The word has spread amongst commercial developers, and interest in the ship is on the rise. The Redevelopment Project is pleased to announce that, to accommodate the upswing of interest, and to provide ample opportunity to new prospective commercial partners, the extension for the RFQ. The new deadline is June 1, 2012. Additional tours of the vessel for RFQ respondents will also be held during the month of May.To read Maritime Executive’s coverage of this news, please go here.To read the original release of the RFQ, please go here.To request a copy of the RFQ packet, please visit: www.SSUSC.org/redevelopment
May 2, 2012 - SS United States Featured In New Thriller
Over the course of her illustrious 17-year service career, SS United States carried more than her share of luminaries. With names like Marlon Brando, Sean Connery, Gary Cooper, Charlton Heston, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor, Judy Garland, John Wayne and Walt Disney, her passenger lists read like a Who’s Who of midcentury Tinseltown. Now, in 2012, the SS United States is once again playing host to the stars, providing a backdrop for Dead Man Down, a new thriller.On last Monday, April 23rd, Conservancy and Redevelopment Project leadership, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter and James Zolfo, Co-Executive Producer of the film, held a press briefing at Philadelphia’s Pier 82. Joined by Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, Mayor Nutter and Zolfo spoke about the Dead Man Down and Philadelphia’s burgeoning role in the film industry, while Conservancy Executive Director Susan Gibbs and Redevelopment Project Managing Director Dan McSweeney spoke about upcoming events for the 60th anniversary of SS United States’s maiden voyage.To read more about the conference and the film, please click here to read more coverage of the event:Many thanks to all our friends and supporters who turned out!