For those who have been asking about the 2008 documentary, SS United States: Lady in Waiting, we have some great news: the film is currently available to stream for free, for all Amazon Prime members! SS United States: Lady in Waiting features appearances from a number of familiar faces, including the Conservancy's Executive Director Susan Gibbs, legendary journalist (and honorary chair of our Advisory Council) Walter Cronkite, and several members of our Board of Directors —

Over the last few months, we've shared stories of creative people of all stripes who have been inspired by the SS United States — from authors and composers to model makers. Though their medium of choice may have been different, all of them were absolutely taken with this soaring symbol of American imagination, dedication, and perseverance. Today, we're excited to share with you some of the truly breathtaking paintings that have been shared with (or donated to) the Conservanc

The Conservancy is incredibly saddened to report the passing of our friend and colleague, Carl Weber—a longtime champion of the SS United States. Carl proudly served as a member of the Conservancy's Advisory Council and, earlier in our organization's history, on our Board of Directors. No matter what formal role he held, he was always a tireless advocate for America's Flagship. In recent years, he played an invaluable role in the Conservancy’s efforts to methodically identify

Every passenger who traveled aboard the SS United States left with a story they could tell for the rest of their lives. However, none of these stories is quite like the one told by John Dost, one of the only children  ever born on America's Flagship. John's parents, Lucia and Harald Dost, were traveling to visit John's grandmother in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. They departed from Bremerhaven, Germany on December 1, 1959 — a full month before Lucia's due date. The Big U made her reg

"She was withdrawn from service back in 1969," says Conservancy executive director Susan Gibbs. "But what is striking is that she still inspires so much creativity." The above sentiment comes from a 2016 segment of WHYY's weekly TV program, Friday Arts. The segment, which was helmed by Emmy-winning producer Michael O'Reilly, looks at the intersection between art, design, and the SS United States. Apart from Susan Gibbs — whose grandfather, William Francis Gibbs, designed the

Ever since she was first constructed, the SS United States has been admired for her beauty. From passengers and crew to maritime enthusiasts and beyond, people from all walks of life have been taken with her graceful lines, distinctive shape, and patriotic red, white, and blue funnels. Of course, all these features were not only pleasing to eye, but also crucial to the ship’s design — allowing America’s Flagship to transport thousands of passengers across the Atlantic Ocean f