TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM & GALA FUNDRAISER AT THE MARINERS' MUSEUM OF NEWPORT NEWS

Event Will Feature Discussions with Former Crew Members; Presentations from Gibbs & Cox, the Conservancy's Curatorial Team, and Notable Maritime Personalities; Special Museum Exhibits

Gala Dinner Will Include a Silent Auction, Keynote Speaker and Dancing
Earlier this month we announced that the Conservancy's Hampton Roads Chapter is planning a festive heritage weekend for supporters, ocean liner enthusiasts, or anyone who is interested in learning more about America's Flagship. Now we're excited to announce that tickets for the events, being held on Saturday, October 23, in Newport News, Virginia, are on sale.

Orchestrated by the Hampton Roads Chapter's passionate leaders, Stanton Daywalt and Elizabeth Fletcher, the Heritage Weekend & Gala Dinner will include a variety of SS United States-inspired activities; notable speakers; a rare look at artifacts from the SS United States' service career; and other fun activities for participants of all ages.

The morning portion of the Heritage Tour at The Mariners' Museum will include presentations by Conservancy President Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the ship's famed designer, William Francis Gibbs; Rear Admiral Mark Buzby (Ret.), former U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and former Administrator of the U.S. Maritime Administration; and Captain James McNamara, SUNY Maritime and Chairman of the Maritime Industry Museum. Afternoon sessions will include the display of several unique SS United States artifacts from the museum's collection; a presentation about the ship's design by representatives from Gibbs & Cox; book signings by Larry Driscoll, author of The Last Great Race: The SS United States and the Blue Riband; a chocolate station by Virginia's Finest Chocolates with a fun chocolate-themed activity for children; and more. The festivities don't stop there.

On Saturday evening, from 6:00 to 11:00pm, Conservancy supporters will return to The Mariners' Museum for what will certainly be a memorable SS United States-inspired gala dinner. Attendees will dance the night away as they did in the SS United States' grand ballroom. The dinner will also include a silent auction and keynote remarks!

Don't miss this unique opportunity to celebrate America's Flagship and the profound impact she continues to have on people across the globe, right near the place where she was built.


(NOTE: Separate tickets are required for the daytime sessions and the gala dinner.)
NEW YORK STATE PARKS ENCOURAGES VISITORS TO VIEW THE
SS UNITED STATES' PROPELLER AT A RENOVATED PIER 76

Propeller Welcomes Guests to NYC's Newest Waterfront Attraction
As the Conservancy first reported in early June, one of the SS United States' four-bladed propellers was recently relocated. The 60,000 pound propeller, manufactured from manganese bronze, was moved from its previous position near the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum to a new public display at the redeveloped Hudson River Park's Pier 76.

This week, New York State Parks shared an all-encompassing blog post titled "Propelling History at New York State Parks" to highlight the addition of the propeller to the new park space. As Conservancy President Susan Gibbs told State Parks officials, “It is awe-inspiring to see this sculptural component of the ship on proud display back in her homeport of New York." To learn about other locations where you can visit propellers that helped power the fastest ocean liner to cross the Atlantic, visit the Conservancy's website.

The Conservancy is tremendously grateful for our growing partnership with the team at New York State Parks, and the agency's dedication to preserving this important piece of our nation's history and telling its story. 

MORE FROM THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
The Conservancy is starting a new social media series, "Object of the Month." Through series, our curatorial team will be highlighting a unique item from the Conservancy's extensive collection of SS United States artifacts, ephemera, and photographs.

This month we're highlighting the "Snowflake Crystal Montage" designed by Charles Lin Tissot.

Looking for a preview of the Heritage Weekend? Coffee service at the event be provided by Ironclad Coffee Roasters, who will be serving their Blue Riband Blend - an homage to the SS United States .

This delicious blend of higher-end Brazilian coffees was created not only in honor of the SS United States, but also as a tribute to Ironclad’s founder’s Grandfather, Philip Rourke, who worked as a welder aboard the Big U. 

THE BIG U CONTINUES TO INSPIRE...

"Very enjoyable. Love the advertising artwork of this time period. Makes you melancholy for a slower time."

- William Boyer, a visitor to our digital exhibition