A GROWING CURATORIAL COLLECTION
The Conservancy continues to expand its extensive collection of art, artifacts, and archival documentation from the ship that demonstrate the extraordinary and innovative craftsmanship that made the SS United States a singular achievement. We are also continually updating our inventory of shipboard artifacts targeted for retention and restoration and are evaluating needs for restorative work on those items prior to public display.
COLLECTION HIGHLIGHTS
Among the hundreds of major items in the Conservancy’s permanent collection are these highlights:
Steinway Baby Grand Piano
This iconic fire-resistant Steinway Baby Grand Piano graced the SS United States’ Grand Ballroom and was played by many renowned musicians, including Duke Ellington. The ship’s mahogany pianos were among the few items made of wood aboard the ship, due to the ship designer’s obsession with fire prevention. (Donors: Mark Perry, Robert Forbes; acquired from Bob Scofield in honor of Michael Persico)
Captain’s Quarters Furniture
The Conservancy has acquired the complete set of furniture from the ship’s Captain’s Quarters, including the Commodore’s desk, shelving, bed, nightstands, lamps, top-secret safe, and a master key to the entire vessel. (Donor: Steve Williams in honor of Melvin Williams)
Two “Snowflake Crystal Montage” Panels by Charles Tissot
The Conservancy has acquired two gorgeous panels depicting a crystal snowflake montage created by renowned artist Charles Tissot for the ship’s Private Dining Room. They represent a beautiful example of the mid-cen- tury modern decorative art on display throughout the SS United States. (Donors: Bob Forbes, Mark Perry, Carl Wesch, Mario Alvarez-Garcillan, Susan Gibbs, Charles Anderson, Wil- liam Myhre, Chris Bell, Marc and Lauren Shenfield, Thomas Watkins, Frank Slate Brooks)
Emergency Life Raft
Not to be confused with the aluminum lifeboats aboard the SS United States, the Conservancy acquired an inflatable raft that was stored on deck for emergency use. (To the best of our knowledge, it was never deployed.) (Donor: Terrence Mahoney)
Mark Perry Collection
The Mark Perry Collection comprises a number of items significant to the SS United States’ history, including personal ephemera belonging to Commodore Harry Manning, consisting of awards and the commodore’s personal scrapbook. Additional items include a detailed U.S. government feasibility study for the ship’s conversion to a troop transport and hospital vessel, “allowance lists” which are detailed inventories of every single item in every single room, and a coffee table from the Captain’s Reception room on Sun Deck.
Albert W. Durant Photography Collection
The Conservancy acquired a special series of vintage photographs taken on the Big U’s speed trials in early 1952 by Albert Durant. Durant was Virginia’s first black city-licensed photographer, and his work features the ship’s African American crew members. (Donors: Mariners’ Museum, and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation)
William Francis Gibbs Collection
The Conservancy has an extensive collection of items relating to the ship’s designer, William Francis Gibbs. These include a bronze bust by Malvina Hoffman, letters and speeches, personal possessions, and one of the commemorative medallions William Francis Gibbs gave to crew members on the ship’s record-break- ing maiden voyage. (Donor: Susan Gibbs)
Models of the SS United States
A vintage model of the SS United States measuring 11 feet long and was put on public display for the first time at the Norman Rockwell Museum as part of a special exhibition featuring art from renowned author-illustrator David Macaulay. (Donor: The children of Douglas F. Bushnell) An additional encased six-and-a-half-foot travel agency model of the SS United States was recently donated to the Conservancy by board member Thomas Watkins.
