Dec 19, 2016 -- North Pole News Release: Santa to Visit the SS United States

As Christmas Nears, Santa Claus to Survey Philadelphia’s Largest Chimney Aboard the SS United States; Philadelphia Welcome Delegation includes Mummers Fancy Brigade and Tony Luke's Cheesesteaks sponsored by MBB Management

NORTH POLE, December 19, 2016 -- Santa Claus will be in the Philadelphia area on Wednesday evening in advance of his annual trip around the world to deliver presents to good girls and boys. He will be conducting a survey of chimneys throughout the city to ensure swift delivery of presents on Christmas Eve. While in Philadelphia, he will be able to be spotted visiting the area’s largest chimney – the six-story-tall forward smokestack on America’s Flagship, the SS United States. Santa’s visit to the ship will coincide with the lighting of the ship’s funnels and other portions of the famed ocean liner for the holiday season.Santa can be viewed on board the ship starting at 6:30 pm on Wednesday, December 21^st from the parking lot near the Chik-fil-A Restaurant across from the ship on South Columbus Boulevard. Members of the Mummers Fancy Brigade will also be on hand to celebrate the season -- and America's Flagship -- beginning at 6:00 pm. Tony Luke’s will provide specialty cheesesteaks and hot chocolate served by MBB Management.  MBB Management is a full service hospitality management company that oversees the entire Tony Luke’s brand. Santa insisted on Tony Luke’s cheesesteaks for his annual Christmas visit to Philadelphia."Santa would like to thank the SS United States Conservancy for lighting this historic ship so beautifully for him as he conducts his important chimney survey," stated the chief North Pole Spokes-elf Chip Evergreen. Santa is also considering using the newly-lit SS United States as a beacon on the Philadelphia waterfront in the event of bad weather.For Santa’s visit, the SS United States will be lit for the first time using new, energy efficient LED lights to illuminate more of the historic vessel than has been done in decades. The new lighting was made possible by the generous donation of $10,000 from cruise industry executive Jim Pollin that paid for a new generator and equipment to light portions of both the interior and exterior of the historic vessel.The lighting of the ship will begin at 6:30pm. Santa will be able to be seen from a distance on board around 6:45pm. “We are thrilled that Santa will be visiting the SS United States. The SS United States may have smashed the transatlantic speed record, but Santa holds the global speed record,” said Susan Gibbs, Executive Director of the SS United States Conservancy. “We are happy to be a stop on his seasonal survey of chimneys in the Philadelphia area. The ship will be aglow with new lighting, bringing this iconic symbol of America to life again for this special time of year.The Conservancy is deeply grateful to Tony Luke's, MBB Management and the Mummers for supporting the SS United States. To help save America’s Flagship with a gift this holiday season, click here.

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.