As the nation pauses to mark the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy's assassination, we pay homage to one of the nation's most extraordinary leaders. Kennedy was one of four US presidents who traveled aboard the SS United States, joining presidents Harry S. Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower and William J. Clinton. As we work to rescue and restore the SS United States, we are working to preserve our shared history. In the words of David Macaulay, "for a society that all too often seems to place little importance on the past, a few big reminders or perhaps just one very big reminder may be the best way of holding on to shared memory." With your help, the Conservancy is determined to ensure that "one very big reminder" - the SS United States - will endure and inspire for future generations.
This update describes many ways you can help us, from attending local events, supporting artists and photographers who are drawing inspiration from the SS United States to purchasing one of our dazzling new limited-edition t-shirts.
As always, thank you so much for your continued support!
John F. and Jackie Kennedy pictured on deck of the SS United States.
Support our efforts now to
help rescue and restore the SS United States
Also in this Issue:
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 Limited Edition Macaulay T-Shirts On Sale Now
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 As part of its urgent SOS Campaign on behalf of "America's Flagship," the Conservancy has released a limited-edition t-shirt featuring one of David Macaulay's original sketches! This unique graphic by the renowned author and artist details the cross-section of the ship's interior and hull, as seen in his blog on the Conservancy's web site. Screen-printed on a premium cotton tee, the shirt is a great - and stylish - way to show your support for the SS United States! These t-shirt sales help fund important Conservancy initiatives, like getting the word out about the ship's history and redevelopment potential and paying the hosting fees for our innovative website, savetheunitedstates.org. We have until December 11 to meet our goal of selling 175 shirts or the shirt won't be printed. Don't wait; help us meet our goal by getting your Ship shirt now!
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Jonathan Ryan - Inspired by Our Lady in Waiting
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Detail from Wanderer Above Philadelphia, by Jonathan Ryan, 2013
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On Saturday, November 9, the graduate students at Philadelphia's Tyler School of Art at Temple University hosted their MFA Open Studios 2013. The event, which gives the greater Philadelphia public a unique opportunity to see the work of and talk with these emerging artists, was well-attended by art students and visitors from around the city. Through his paintings, second-year graduate student Jonathan Ryan works to convey the essence of places he has visited. Several of Ryan's paintings, such as the one above, feature the SS United States and depict parts of the ship from a unique, fresh angle. |
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Capturing the Spirit of the "Big U"
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Photo onboard the SSUS by Kevin Husta
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Photo of the SSUS funnels by Kevin Husta
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The majesty of the SS United States' iconic stacks...soft light filtering through the 1st class promenade windows... These are just two scenes included in an upcoming photography exhibit at the Ocean City Arts Center in New Jersey. New work by photographer Kevin Husta will accompany memoirs from passengers who sailed on the SS United States during her glory years from 1952 through the 1960s. The exhibit captures the essential spirit of the ship, highlighting not only her history but also reminding us of her enduring power as a symbol of the nation.
The exhibit will run from February 4 through February 28, 2014, with an opening reception on February 7, 2014, from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm.
If you sailed on the SS United States, please consider sharing your story for inclusion in the exhibit. You may email Rosalyn Lifshin at rozl@oceancityartscenter.org or call the Arts Center at (609) 399-7628 with your contact information.
The Ocean City Arts Center is located at 1735 Simpson Avenue in Ocean City, NJ.
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A Note From Our Florida Chapter
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To all Floridians:
At the moment there is a suggestion that we launch the SSUSC Florida Chapter on the evening of Saturday, December 7th. With Florida once again being considered as a possible location for the SS United States to be permanently berthed, it is most important that we get the Chapter up and running without delay.
For the launch party, Miami or its environs continue to be the most likely meeting place, so anyone who wants to participate in our planned party should please let me know as soon as possible at andyherdan@live.com. Once we have a large enough group, we will make final preparations and book a location. It's time for action down here in gloriously sunny Florida!
Hoping to see many of you within the coming months,
Andy Herdan
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Launch of New Hampton Roads Chapter
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The newly-formed Hampton Roads Chapter will be holding its first meeting at 7 pm on December 12 at the Newport News Gibbs & Cox office, located at 700 Thimble Shoals Boulevard, Suite 100, Newport News, VA 23606. This meeting will be a meet-and-greet where we will discuss the newly-formed Chapter and plans for a path forward, including future events. We will also have a small presentation of some recently-taken pictures of the ship, walking deck-by-deck and looking at the current condition of some of our favorite spaces onboard the Big U. Please RSVP to Keith Harper by December 9 at kharper@gibbscox.com if you plan to attend. We look forward to seeing everybody on the 12th and working together to help make the Hampton Roads Chapter a successful new addition to the SS United States Conservancy!
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Philadelphia Chapter Holiday Party
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The Philadelphia Chapter of the Conservancy will hold its 2013 holiday party on Saturday, December 14, from noon to 2 pm. The luncheon will be held at Champps Americana, 2100 South Christopher Columbus Boulevard, Penn's Landing, PA 19148 (across from the ship). The cost will be $30 per person and include sandwiches, chips, dessert, coffee, and soft drinks. RSVP and registration information are forthcoming. Questions? Suggestions? Please contact philadelphia@ssusc.org. After the party, be sure to head up to Independence Seaport Museum for the 4th Annual Seaport Parade of Lights - a holiday-lighted boat parade on the Delaware River!
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Shipboard Art and Photography Opportunity
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Attention artists and photographers: We have a unique opportunity for you! On December 14 from 10am to noon, you can join Conservancy in-house photographers Allee Berger and Christine Hower on a special limited-access curatorial study to help contribute to the historical records of America's Flagship through visual documentation. General public access to the SS United States is restricted. While limited vessel tours are offered as a Conservancy membership benefit at certain donor levels, we are offering a special opportunity to artists and photographers to assist in a creative documentation project. Guided by the ship's on-location historian, this unique adventure is limited to 8 individuals. The cost to participate is $150, with all proceeds going toward the ship's maintenance costs. Pre-registration for this rare opportunity is required and is limited to Conservancy members. Please email info@ssusc.org for registration and payment instructions.
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In Remembrance
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The Conservancy wishes to acknowledge two long-time supporters who have recently passed away: Carmen Balsama and Bill Murphy.  | |
Long-time supporter Carmen Balsama
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Carmen Balsama was an avid volunteer and supporter from the earliest days of the Conservancy. Together with founding board member Jeff Henry, Carmen played a key role in galvanizing support for the Big U in Philadelphia, years before the Conservancy was formed. As we continue our efforts to "Save Our Ship," we will be guided by Carmen's enduring qualities of patience, persistence, and patriotism.  |
Bill Murphy & Joe Belanger at the SS United States reunion, October 2004 photo by Mike Alexander
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Bill Murphy was an engineer for the United States Lines for over 25 years, and his final sailing was on the SS United States when she was decommissioned. Murphy's crew mate Joe Belanger pictured above was also an engineer on the Big U, from 1952 through 1969. In the words of James Donovan, Murphy was "the last of a dying breed whose life, pride and passion was this ship...he was one of a kind." Fair winds and following seas to these extraordinary men who contributed so much to the SS United States' extraordinary history.
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Help us reach more people in our quest to save America's Flagship.
Graphic courtesy of Paul Stipkovich, Conservancy New York & Northern New Jersey Chapter Chair
Thanks to your support, we are now at over 9,600 followers on our Facebook page! Let's keep our momentum going and hit 10,000! Please like our page, follow us on Twitter, and encourage your friends, colleagues and family members to do the same!
 
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SS United States Conservancy
P.O. Box 32115
Washington, DC 20007
(888)-488-7787
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