NEW DIGITAL EXHIBITION CELEBRATES SS UNITED STATES FOOD CULTURE

Last week, the Conservancy debuted our exciting digital exhibition, “Food Tastes Better at Sea” Dining Aboard the SS United States to great success. Showcasing the Conservancy’s extensive collection of artifacts, art, and archival documentation, the exhibition explores the dining experience aboard the Big U from the ship’s celebrated restaurants, to the galleys, to high-tech food preparation innovations. The SS United States served generous portions of modern and international cuisines, awing many passengers who had experienced food rations and limitations during World War II. To explore more about the historical context and outstanding food-related innovations of the SS United States click HERE to enjoy “Food Tastes Better at Sea.”

Conservancy supporters enjoyed viewing the digital exhibition on the Conservancy’s website during its first week and former passengers have been inspired to share their own memories ranging from peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at sea to the woes of seasickness that superseded meals aboard the Big U. When signing our digital guest book, supporters raved about the exhibition: 

"Just beautiful and well done. I'm sure it is a sign of even more to come." 

"This was fantastic!! It was so fun to see mementos similar to those I have from my parents and our voyage... Well done!!" 

"I enjoyed this trip down memory lane... I look forward to visiting the new museum in Florida. Thank you for all you do to keep her memory alive.”

Are you interested in preserving a part of the ship’s dining history for yourself? From now through June 27th, you can enter our giveaway to win a copy of "The Captain's Table," a reproduction of the 1964 SS United States recipe guide! This pamphlet contains "18 recipes for famous dishes" served aboard the Big U. To be entered into the giveaway, visit the digital exhibition HERE and then sign our digital guest book after viewing.

FUTURE MUSEUM ATTRACTS EXCITEMENT

Anticipation is building for the Conservancy’s future land-based museum celebrating the SS United States’ remarkable history. Next Avenue recently spotlighted the Big U, profiling former passenger and Conservancy board member Warren Jones. As an 8-year old passenger aboard the ocean liner, he vividly remembers “roaming the ship at sea and sneaking into areas restricted to first-class passengers” as well as the thrill of the ship’s power: “when those tugs pulled away . . . then you felt those engines start up and go full throttle sailing out past the Statue of Liberty — that you never forget. It was tremendous." Looking to the future, the SS United States’ “story will be told through an onshore museum featuring (possibly) webcams of the submerged ship and numerous artifacts from it.”

Photo generously donated by supporter David McGlaughlin

Sledge also summarized the historic quest of the ship’s designer, William Francis Gibbs, who became obsessed with ships upon seeing one launched in his home town of Philadelphia. Sledge highlighted Gibbs’ celebration of the magnificent ship’s construction upon its completion: “Contemplating his creation, W. F. remarked that the many men and women who had built the ship ‘knew what they were doing. They knew that they were trying for the greatest ship in the world, and they knew they were doing it as trustees for the citizens of the United States.’”

A FAMILY'S JOURNEY ABOARD THE BIG U

Former passenger Lyn Widmyer recently visited the SS United States in Mobile, Alabama, and shared the story of her journey on the Big U in a recent YouTube video. Lyn’s family traveled from Germany to the United States in 1969 to pursue cancer treatment for her mother , who believed the four-day sea voyage would be a great adventure for their family. In this touching tribute to her mother, Lyn remembers her determination and power, during a difficult time.