Dear Friend of America’s Flagship,

This year has been tumultuous. A global health pandemic, an economic slowdown, and a protracted and divisive election season have taken their toll. Through it all, the SS United States remains a beacon of hope and resilience, reminding us of our nation’s ability to weather challenging storms. The Conservancy, with the help of our steadfast supporters, continues to work tirelessly to tell the story of America’s Flagship and why we must save this irreplaceable symbol of our country’s pride and “can do” spirit.
Now more than ever, national icons like the “Big U” can help energize and bring us together as we work to overcome our current challenges. Despite the year’s disruptions, the Conservancy has been able to forge full steam ahead. Our global community is growing, even during this difficult year, and as a result, we’ve continued to make steady progress toward our goal of ensuring this emblem of America’s resilience, strength, unity, and innovation endures and inspires for generations to come.

Your continued support is critical to keep the SS United States safely afloat and advance our plans to give the ship a new life as a thriving waterfront destination and museum. Your renewed membership and annual donation, especially during these challenging times, can make the difference between the ship having a vibrant future or seeing it lost to history.

REDEVELOPMENT PROGRESS IS ADVANCING
This year, our exciting partnership with RXR Realty continued, as their impressive team of professionals worked to develop new design concepts and identify a range of additional uses for the SS United States tailored to the post-COVID economy. They have also conducted outreach to government officials in major American port cities to discuss the ship’s enormous potential and identify an optimal permanent location for the vessel. We remain encouraged by RXR’s continuing commitment to the ship over the course of the year and hope for further progress in the months ahead despite the impacts of the pandemic on the U.S. and global economy.
MUSEUM PLANNING IS CONTINUING

The Conservancy continues to advance initial plans for an exciting shipboard museum and innovation center. This immersive, interactive experience will explore the SS United States' role in American history, mid-20th-century art and design as well as serve as a center for innovation. The museum will also showcase the Conservancy’s growing collection of unique art, artifacts and archival materials.

This year, the Conservancy invited input from our supporters on the museum planning process by issuing an online survey. We received more than 1,000 responses, which have provided us with invaluable insights into our global community’s preferences and visions for the future shipboard museum. 
THE BIG U CONTINUES TO INSPIRE...
"...it was the envy of the world when it took its maiden voyage in 1952, symbolizing postwar America’s technical and financial might.” - Bloomberg Business, March 10, 2020