The Conservancy is thrilled to announce the development of its new feature-length documentary about the SS United States. Slated for release in 2026, Superliner: The Enduring Legacy of the SS United States, will share an unprecedented look at the ship’s riveting history and final journey. The film is directed by Robert Radler and produced by Emmy-award winner and Conservancy board member Mark Perry, who previously teamed up for the acclaimed 2008 documentary SS United States: Lady in Waiting. Robby Krieger, guitarist and founding member of the rock band The Doors, is scoring the film. 

“Superliner isn’t just maritime nostalgia,” said Perry. “It’s an American story about innovation, loss, and rebirth — and we’re filming the beginning of its next chapter.”

The Conservancy’s extensive collection of historic footage and personal archives will supplement dramatic film footage of the Big U’s journey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Mobile, Alabama: “This time she’s not tied up at a dock,” said Radler. “She’s moving — and even at a fraction of her original speed, she still looks like she’s flying in the open ocean.”

Cinematic documentation of the ship’s upcoming reefing off Florida’s Gulf Coast will also be covered in the film, which will be a featured attraction at the Conservancy's future museum as well as distributed for global release. We look forward to sharing updates on this remarkable story of the SS United States – stay tuned!

REMEMBERING MIRA JEDWABNIK VAN DOREN

Image courtesy of Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren

The SS United States Conservancy mourned the loss of Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren, a prolific artist and filmmaker who passed away in October. At 21 years old, she was one of the youngest artists to contribute her work to the SS United States. Her 14 enameled tables for the Observation Lounge featured varying shades of blue with starkly contrasting white spots, mimicking constellations in the night sky when traveling on the ship.

Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren also crafted enamel plaques of North American birds to adorn the ship's first-class suites. The Conservancy featured these in our first temporary exhibition at New York City's Forbes Galleries in 2013.

Some of Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren’s later work in enamel remains on display in the murals of hotels, office buildings, and synagogues across the country. In 2007, she received critical acclaim for her PBS documentary, The World Was Ours, the result of her years of research into the vibrant Jewish cultural history of her hometown of Vilna, Lithuania (then Poland). For her work on this film, she received a prestigious award from the YIVO Institute for Jewish Research.

The Conservancy highlighted Mira Jedwabnik Van Doren’s exquisite contributions to the SS United States as part of our “Transatlantic Trailblazers” digital exhibition. If you are interested in reading more, please click HERE.

SS UNITED STATES PAINTINGS ON DISPLAY

Novado Gallery’s most recent exhibition “Of Matter and Light," features beautiful paintings of the SS United States by artist Brooke Lanier. The gallery, located in Jersey City, New Jersey, has these works of art on display through December 6th.

Brooke Lanier's "SS United States Imposing Bow," 2024

Brooke, a dedicated Conservancy supporter and exceptional artist, has drawn inspiration from the Big U: “In homage to the hull of the SS United States, I use iron oxide to depict the rusted corroded steel, and I build up and scrape away layers of paint or clay in a process that echoes the weathering of the ship itself. Her design combines mid-century elegance and architectural problem-solving to create a geometry that frames the sky and water so beautifully.”

We hope you will stop by to see these incredible depictions of the SS United States if you are in the area. For more information, please visit Brooke’s website HERE.

SUPPORT THE CONSERVANCY WITH A GIFT MEMBERSHIP

This holiday season, consider gifting the SS United States enthusiast in your life a membership to the Conservancy! Your tax-deductible gift of any size supports our work celebrating the legacy of the SS United States and entitles you or a person of your choosing to a Conservancy membership.

Image courtesy of Margaret L. Smith

Our members enable us to continue museum planning and development, expanding our curatorial collections, and developing engaging and exciting digital and in-person exhibitions. Click HERE to learn more.

The Conservancy also offers a wide variety of SS United States apparel, home goods, puzzles and more in our online store. To browse our offerings, please click HERE.