December 30, 2017

Wishing You a Very Happy New Year from the SS United States Conservancy!

As we bid farewell to 2017, we'd like to thank all of the SS United States ' supporters, volunteers, passengers and crew from across the nation and around the world. Whether you walked her decks when the ship charged through the North Atlantic decades ago, or you first discovered the Big U on Philadelphia's Delaware River in 2017, you are now an important part of the SS United States ' story. The ship remains an inspiring and unifying symbol of our nation and the power of possibility. The coming year promises to be momentous for America's Flagship, and we remain profoundly grateful for your continued support .

The Fischer family raises a glass aboard America's Flagship, October, 1969. Photograph courtesy of Edward Oest.

We extend our warmest greetings as you gather with family and friends to ring in the new year. As William Francis Gibbs, designer of the SS United States , would often say, "To everything you want doubled, to good health, and to the Big Ship!"

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Help Us Save America's Flagship!

Looking back on 2017, we're sharing a few of the year's many highlights...

Generous donations to the "We Are The United States " campaign by cruise industry executive Jim Pollin and Christie Peck of Long Beach, CA, extended a critical lifeline to America's Flagship and allowed us to keep her safely afloat. The expansion of our curatorial collections received an exciting boost with a major donation of original furniture and artifacts from the ship's Captain's Quarters by generous supporter, Steve Williams, in honor of his uncle, Mel Williams.

We partnered with Tradition Brewing Company in Newport News, VA, and they released their fantastic Hull 488 IPA, promising 10 percent of all proceeds from canned sales to be donated to the Conservancy. Our incredible regional chapters continued their important work, and the New York Chapter inspired us as they marched in New York's Veterans Day Parade .

The Big U continued to inspire grand gestures — playing a starring role in one Philadelphia couple's love story, with a surprise marriage proposal on board America's Flagship. We started preparing to relive the transatlantic liner era in style aboard the SS United States Legacy Cruise to Bermuda in May, 2018. Book today to join us for an unforgettable voyage!

Here's to more exciting developments in 2018!

“She's a great symbol of our country and a part of American History...USA constructed!” — Former passenger Susan Alexander, Fresno, CA

Year-End Giving: Make a Tax-Deductible Donation and Support our Annual Appeal Today

As the year comes to a close, don't forget the SS United States in your holiday and year-end giving. 2017 was a big year for the Big U, with extraordinary additions to the Conservancy's permanent curatorial collections ; confidential talks with potential developers about activating the ship's commercial potential; and exciting features in the New York Times , Newsday , USA Today , and more media outlets!

This year, donors at the $250 level and above will receive a stunning limited-edition Theodore C. Ewen print , "Moonlight on the North Atlantic."

We are optimistic for the future, but your support is crucial in ensuring that we can keep the SS United States safely afloat as we chart a course towards her revitalization and continue our work to preserve and honor the ship's legacy. Click HERE to renew your Conservancy membership today.

“I am honored to support the Conservancy as a steadfast guardian of such an important moment in our nation's history.” — Steve Williams, Revere, MA

We love to see supporters spreading the yuletide cheer to their family and friends! Thank you to maritime artist Robert Semler for sharing this fantastic holiday image. Find Robert's stunning paintings and prints featuring the Big U on our website .

Help us to reach more people  in our quest to save America's Flagship. Thanks to your support, we now have over 19,000 followers on our  Facebook page! Remember to follow us on all of our social media platforms, and encourage your friends, colleagues and family members to do the same!