SS United States Conservancy chief speaks Feb. 9 at Mariners’ Museum

For Immediate Release

SS United States Conservancy chief speaks Feb. 9 at Mariners’ Museum

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – Thursday, Feb. 9 at 7 PM, the executive director of the SS United States Conservancy will speak and premiere the Conservancy's new 45-minute film.

The SS United States captured world headlines in July 1952 with its record-breaking maiden voyage from New York to Southampton, England. One of the fastest ships in the world and one of the most luxurious passenger liners to cross the Atlantic, it captured the imagination of the American public.

The ship, built in post-World War II Newport News, was designed as a luxury liner and top-secret Cold War weapon. The SS United States could transport 14,000 troops more than 10,000 miles without refueling. Prior to her retirement in 1969, the ship carried four U.S. presidents, moguls, movie stars, tourists and immigrants. While naval architect William Francis Gibbs oversaw the design of some 6,000 vessels over the course of his career, the SS United States was his greatest accomplishment.

The non-profit SS United States Conservancy purchased the ship in February 2011. Plans are underway to re-develop the 990-foot-long liner as a stationary attraction, including as a museum.
February 9, Susan Gibbs, executive director of the SS United States Conservancy and granddaughter of William Francis Gibbs, will speak at The Mariners’ Museum and premiere the Conservancy's film, SS United States: Made in America. Gibbs will offer a special "behind the scenes" perspective on her grandfather's 40-year quest to design the fastest ship in the world and the Conservancy's efforts to save the SS United States for future generations.
For this evening only, The Mariners’ Museum will exhibit an original table, chairs and place settings from the SS United States, culled from its SS United States collection.

The Spring Lecture Series is free to Museum Members and non-Members, thanks to a grant from the Peninsula Community Foundation of Virginia. Lectures are held in the Museum’s main lobby. For information, visit www.MarinersMuseum.org, call (757) 591-7751 or e-mail bhill@MarinersMuseum.org.
 

For more information:
Contact: John Warren
(757) 591-7746
E-mail: pr@MarinersMuseum.org 

The Mariners' Museum, an educational, non-profit institution accredited by the American Association of Museums, preserves and interprets maritime history through an international collection of ship models, figureheads, paintings and other maritime artifacts. The museum is open from 10 A.M. until 5 P.M. Wednesday through Saturday, and 12 to 5 P.M. Sunday. It will be closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. For information, visit www.MarinersMuseum.org, call (757) 596-2222 or (800) 581-7245, or write to The Mariners' Museum, 100 Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606.

The Mariners' Museum and The South Street Seaport Museum of New York City are partners in America's National Maritime Museum, an innovative alliance recognized by an act of Congress in June 1998 to share collections, exhibitions, educational programs, publications, and other endeavors.