As the SS United States readies for her departure from Philadelphia, the SS United States Conservancy invites you to join us for a special Philadelphia City Cruises excursion on Thursday, November 14, to join friends of the Big U for a close-up view of the ship at Pier 82 before her scheduled departure.
Charles B. Anderson, Conservancy board member and son of Commodore John W. Anderson, will join us for a special members event. Charles will be sharing his personal recollections on his father’s storied career at the helm of the SS United States through personal photos and stories.
Come join the SS United States Conservancy and author Stanton Daywalt at the Philadelphia Ikea Café overlooking the SS United States for a speaking engagement and book signing.
William Francis Gibbs, the designer of the SS United States, and Walt Disney, the legendary animator, shared a similar ambition and drive.
THE SS UNITED STATES CONSERVANCY and its New York City Chapter invite you to attend a 70th Anniversary celebration of the maiden voyage of America’s Flagship with a special Circle Line cruise of New York Harbor followed by a presentation at the SS United States' propeller displayed at Pier 76.
First-Ever “Virtual Gala” for SS United States Conservancy recreates style
of 1950s-era “Colgate Comedy Hour” as filmed aboard SS United States
Celebrity Video Salutes from Dolly Parton, Kate Burton, and Mercedes Ellington
Special Guest Performances feature Klea Blackhurst and a Rendition of
the SS United States theme song: “First Lady of the Sea”
Featured Guests include Glenn Farrington from The Magic Castle,
Akira Sky singer-songwriter & star of DreamWorksTV’s “Junk Drawer Magic”
and Nita Whitaker and her daughters Skye & Liisi LaFontaine
Conservancy West Coast Chapter Co-Chairs Mark Perry & David Perry Host
with Susan Gibbs, Conservancy President and Granddaughter of
SS United States designer William Francis Gibbs
Beyond Pix Studios of San Francisco Produces Online Event
On the anniversary of her record-breaking maiden voyage, “America’s Flagship” the SS United States will again serve as a powerful, unifying symbol of American triumph over adversity. On July 3, 2020 (4pm PST / 7pm EST), the nonprofit SS United States Conservancy’s West Coast Chapter (www.ssusc.org) will host its first “virtual gala” in the style of the 1950s classic “Colgate Comedy Hour” variety show, once filmed aboard SS United States. The online gala will be available on the Conservancy’s YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/VideoSSUSC .
This exciting digital event will feature celebrity appearances by country music legend Dolly Parton and actress Kate Burton (daughter of SS United States one-time passenger Richard Burton), Mercedes Ellington (granddaughter of jazz icon Duke Ellington who once performed aboard the ship), singer-songwriter Akira Sky, singers Nita Whitaker and her daughters Skye and Liisi LaFontaine, a performance of the ship’s rarely performed theme song “First Lady of the Sea” by cabaret sensation Klea Blackhurst, and feats of magic from Glenn Farrington of Magic Castle fame. Donating technical support and sponsorship for the event is Beyond Pix Studios, an internationally recognized leader in broadcast services, headquartered in San Francisco.
