HERITAGE TOUR & PROGRAM AT THE MARINERS' MUSUEM WILL BE FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

Event Includes Rarely Seen Artifacts, Insightful Speakers and More
Tickets are still available for the Hampton Roads Chapter's upcoming Heritage Tour & Program, happening on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at The Mariners' Museum in Newport News, Virginia. This exciting event includes entertaining and insightful programming for both adults and children to learn more about America's Flagship.

The morning session, which is scheduled from 10:00am to 12:00pm, will include remarks by Conservancy President Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the ship's designer, William Francis Gibbs; former U.S. Maritime Administration Administrator Admiral Mark Buzby (Ret.); Captain James McNamara, Chairman of the Maritime Industry Museum; Larry Driscoll, author of The Last Great Race: The SS United States and the Blue Riband; and retired naval architect and maritime author Bill Fox.

After a break for attendees to get lunch, the program returns with four 30-minute afternoon sessions: "Designing the SS United States," a presentation by the ship's original design firm, Gibbs & Cox; "Commanding the SS United States," a presentation by SUNY Maritime graduates, including Captain James McNamara; "First Ladies of the Sea," a presentation on by the Conservancy's curatorial team; and "Grandfather's Ship: The SS United States," a reading by author Elizabeth Fletcher and her service dog, Lincoln McCarthy, of her children's book about a six year old boy who visits "the lonely ship" in Philadelphia.

Running concurrently during the afternoon will be book signings by Larry Driscoll and Bill Fox (cash or check only); a chocolate station by Virginia's Finest Chocolates with a fun chocolate-themed activity for children; an exhibit with rarely-displayed SS United States items from The Mariners' Museum's collection; and wine tastings with MountainRose Vineyards of Wise, Virginia.

"FIRST LADIES OF THE SEA" VIRTUAL DISCUSSION TO HIGHLIGHT TRAILBLAZING WOMEN OF THE SS UNITED STATES

Conservancy Curatorial Team Examines the Role of Women in the Art, Design and Engineering of America's Flagship
We are set to launch our next digital exhibition, "Transatlantic Trailblazers: The Women Behind the Art & Engineering of the SS United States," on the Conservancy's website on March 4.

Developed by our curatorial team, this exhibition explores the trailblazing role Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren (pictured here), Anne Urquart, Dorothy Marckwald, Elaine Kaplan and others played in the design, art and engineering of the SS United States, the largest ocean liner ever built in America. From groundbreaking propeller design to some of the most luxurious - and safest seagoing interiors, many path-breaking women helped make the SS United States the pride of her nation. The exhibition offers a unique perspective on women’s achievements in the post-War period and how women contributed to a uniquely American design aesthetic and maritime masterpiece.

In recognition of Women's History Month, "First Ladies of the Sea: The SS United States’ Transatlantic Trailblazers" will take place virtually on Tuesday, March 15 at 6:00pm EST. The discussion will provide insight into the development of our new digital exhibition and commentary around the role of women in the ship's widely-acclaimed art, design and engineering. 

This is the first of several forthcoming events in conjunction with this exhibition, including our exclusive "Evening with the Curators" being planned for later this year. It's not too late to support the Conservancy by donating at that SS United States Champion level to qualify for "Evening with the Curators." We invite you to click HERE to contribute, and we thank you so much for your support.

MORE FROM THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY
Our latest episode of "The Observation Lounge" features former SS United States passenger Roberta Reiner (pictured here) discussing her fond memories from a trip aboard the Big U. From a costume contest to a first class suite, 20-year-old Roberta lived the high life during her cruise.
Reiner recalls that traveling on the Big U, even for one of the cruises that marked the end of the ship's service career, passengers still felt the awe-inspiring nature of the vessel, with its famous passengers and unparalleled hospitality.
This month we are highlighting the work of maritime artist Tony Strublic!

Tony specializes in elegant and wonderfully detailed black graphite maritime drawings – such as the one seen here. He also offers several different prints featuring the SS United States. Thirty percent of the proceeds from sales of prints of the Big U go to support the Conservancy’s work to save America’s Flagship.

THE BIG U CONTINUES TO INSPIRE...

"Every time I see photos like this, I'm convinced I was born in the wrong decade."
- Facebook Supporter Joe Tralongo, commenting on the picture of then-Cadet Alex Keisch on board the SS United States in 1966