Wondering what our chapters do? They provide local area support to the Conservancy and plan several fundraisers throughout the year. Chapters work closely with Conservancy staff to recruit members, secure local media coverage, and raise public awareness of the SS United States. If you'd like to see if we have a Chapter in your area, please visit our Chapters Page. And if there is not yet a Chapter near you, please reach out to us and we'll help you start one!Florida Calling all Florida residents! Would you like to take a more active role in helping to save the SS United States? We'd love to hear from you! The former chairman of the Conservancy's Philadelphia Chapter has relocated to Florida and is looking for members to help get our Florida Chapter launched! The Chapter is planning a holiday celebration in December as its official kick-off meeting for anyone who would like to become a member.If you live in Florida and would like to donate your time and talents to a very worthy cause, please contact Andy Herdan at florida@ssusc.org. (A huge thank-you and apology to those members who kindly reached out to our previous request; we ask that you please do so again so we have your contact information.)Hampton Roads The Conservancy's Hampton Roads chapter is revving up under the leadership of Keith Harper and Joe Muchulsky. An event later this fall is planned at which Keith will present incredible new photographs of the ship's nooks and crannies while Joe shares some entertaining "sea stories." Joe began working aboard the SS United States as an assistant linen keeper when he was 16 years old! You won't want to miss this dynamic duo!To ensure you are on the Hampton Roads chapter's distribution list and are informed of future events, please email Keith at KHarper@gibbscox.com.
October 2, 2013 - Pre-development Program Announcement
The Conservancy is pleased to announce the launch of an innovative pre-development program that will help prepare the SS United States for conversion into a mixed-use development and museum complex. This program will include the selective reclamation of obsolete materials aboard the vessel that will help cover the ship's carrying costs as well as advance our future SS United States Center for Design and Discovery. Since the kick-off of the Conservancy's $500,000 "Save Our Ship" Campaign earlier this year, we have been vigorously pursuing a range of creative fundraising approaches. While we continue to search for a permanent location for "America's Flagship," this pre-development program will generate crucial revenue in support of our key goals.
Guided by an expert group of marine engineers, naval architects, maritime historians, and museum specialists, the Conservancy has identified materials aboard the vessel that must be removed prior to the ship's redevelopment. These items are located below B Deck in spaces closed to public view, are not part of our future preservation or curatorial plans, and are not vital to the vessel's structural integrity. This program will support the Conservancy's core stewardship mission and will not alter the historic vessel's appearance or design. All work will be carried out in full compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations.
This pre-development program will make the ship more attractive for investors and developers and will help cover the vessel's basic carrying costs - such as ship insurance, pier rental, and vessel management and upkeep - through July, 2014. These revenues will not cover the costs of the Conservancy's vital curatorial and educational programs or core operations. Continued support from our members and donors are essential to advance our museum plans, build our curatorial collections, and energetically pursue redevelopment plans and partners.
The Conservancy's momentum continues to build: We are excited to announce that a special new SS United States exhibition will premiere at Philadelphia's Independence Seaport Museum in February, 2014. Our innovative online platform and future "virtual" interactive museum display at SavetheUnitedStates.org continues to capture widespread attention and interest. Stay tuned for exciting events and updates in the coming months featuring renowned author and illustrator David Macaulay, tennis legend Billie Jean King, and other prominent SOS Campaign supporters. Once again, we are profoundly grateful for your continued support.
June 23, 2013 - Major Media Coverage for Philadelphia Outreach Events
The SS United States Conservancy's recent outreach events in Philadelphia--including massive illuminations atop the PECO Building and the Cira Centre and a rally in LOVE Park rally on June 18th--to save Philadelphia's own 'Lady in the Harbor' and America's Flagship, the SS United States, has garnered significant attention in the local media. Sources such as The Philadelphia Inquirer, local CBS and FOX television news affiliates, WHYY Newsworks, and iradiophilly have covered the event, highlighting the ship's plight, the Conservancy's SOS Campaign to raise $500,000 for the preservation of the ship, the crowd-funding platform employed at Save The United States, and the designer William Francis Gibbs' connections to Philadelphia."It's quite an extraordinary experience to go aboard the ship," Conservancy executive director Susan Gibbs WHYY, Philadelphia's NPR affiliate. "Even though it's dark and there is a flashlight in hand, the ship still evokes the seagoing glamour of the 50's and 60's."Help the SS United States Conservancy preserve the ship for future generations by becoming a member or donating through our crowd-funding site SaveTheUnitedStates.org