SS United States Exhibition to Open at National Lighthouse Museum June 14th
Today, we are thrilled to share this exciting announcement from the Conservancy's New York Chapter!
The National Lighthouse Museum proudly presents, in partnership with the New York Chapter of the SS United States Conservancy, "Full Speed Ahead to the Fabulous SS United States!" This exhibit, on display at the National Lighthouse Museum June 14th- August 3rd, celebrates the extraordinary career of the luxury liner known as "America's Flagship."
Poster by New York Chapter co-chair Paul Stipkovich.
Don't miss the exhibition's grand opening! The event will kick off on Thursday, June 14th at 6:30 PM and will be followed by a screening of acclaimed New York filmmaker Manny Kirchheimer's short film about the SS United States, “Colossus on the River” (1965; Runtime approx. 15 min).
Beverages including Hull 488 IPA by Tradition Brewing Co. will be available by suggested donation. Hull 488 is crafted in Newport News, where the SS United States was born, and is a direct tribute to this amazing engineering marvel. Hull 488 is available in our area exclusively for this event.
Admission (all proceeds go to support the National Lighthouse Museum and the SS United States Conservancy):
General: $10 Seniors and Military: $4 Students (12+): $3 Children under 12 & Members: Free
This show will trace the life of the ship, from young speed queen and popular cover girl to aging star of yesteryear and nearly forgotten "has-been," and finally — with your help — to one of the great comeback stories in U.S. history.
Hull 488 IPA will be available by suggested donation at the exhibition's grand opening on June 14th.
Photograph courtesy of Tradition Brewing Co.
ABOUT THE SS UNITED STATES:
Upon its completion in 1952, the SS United States immediately won the Blue Riband for setting a new Transatlantic speed record–a record that remains unbeaten. In her heyday, the ship welcomed celebrities from the golden age of Hollywood, such as Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland, Mahalia Jackson, Salvador Dalí, Grace Kelly, and Joan Crawford. During the 1964 New York World’s Fair, she was touted as the fastest and most luxurious way to travel to Europe.
With the advent of jet technology, however, overseas travel began to look less exciting and became less profitable. In 1969, the SS United States was abruptly withdrawn from service while docked in Newport News, Virginia for annual maintenance. She was moved to South Philadelphia in 1996, where she remains today.
The SS United States Conservancy purchased the ship outright in February 2011, and today works to secure a bright future for the fastest, finest, and largest ocean liner ever to be built in the United States.
The SS United States passes under the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge.
Postcard from the SS United States Conservancy Archives Collection.
The Conservancy's New York Chapter is hard at work spreading the word about our nation's greatest and sole remaining ocean liner! In 2017, the chapter co-hosted an extraordinary exhibition at Brooklyn's City Reliquary: "The United States: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." They also marched in November's Veterans Day Parade, honoring the brave men and women who have served our nation.
Interested in getting involved with the New York Chapter? Drop them a line at newyork@ssusc.org. Learn more about the Conservancy's fantastic regional chapters, and find a chapter in your own area HERE.
