April 17, 2006 www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org.
Dear SS United States Conservancy Friends and Supporters:
We are delighted to invite you to join us in Philadelphia on Saturday, May 13 to celebrate our national flagship, the SS United States. The “Big U” set a transatlantic speed record in 1952 that still stands today. She remains a marvel of engineering and aesthetics, the pride of a generation, and the fastest ocean liner ever built. We will gather at the Independence Seaport Museum to celebrate her history, contemplate her future, and explore the enduring legacy of the SS United States!
Some of the highlights of our special celebration will include:
An update on the SS United States’ current condition and future plans.
A preview of an exciting new documentary film in production, Lady in Waiting, and a chance to meet the film’s producers and hear about national distribution through Public Television with WTTW as our presenting station in early 2007. We will have a full camera crew at the meeting: If you would like to share your memories or express your admiration of the SS United States on film, please let us know!
Thrilling and hilarious tales from the ship’s heyday from a wonderful group of former crewmembers, as well as remarks by Charles Anderson, son of Commodore John Anderson, master of the SS United States for twelve years.
A gala luncheon in the Independence Seaport Museum’s famous “Spinnaker Room” where you will enjoy views of the SS United States dominating her pier.
An evening cocktail reception at a fun and festive Italian restaurant within walking distance of the Independence Seaport Museum.
We are very grateful to Norwegian Cruise Line, the current owner of the SS United States, for underwriting the costs of our evening reception and for helping us to secure such a special venue for our gala luncheon! The full meeting agenda and additional information are listed below.
We intend to make the SS United States Conservancy’s 2006 meeting and celebration our best event ever, and we hope that you will be able to join us. Please do not hesitate to contact us as the meeting date approaches if you should have any furthers questions.
REGISTER NOW!
To register and RSVP by mail, please click here, then print and fill out the form
To register and RSVP online, please click here
We look forward to welcoming you in Philadelphia!
Sincerely,
Board of Directors
SS United States Conservancy
SS United States Conservancy Meeting and Celebration
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Independence Seaport Museum, Philadelphia PA
10:00 Registration
10:15 Welcome and Opening Remarks - SS United States Overview and Update and SS United States Conservancy Report (Richard Rabbett and Dan McSweeney)
11:00 Presentations on the SS United States: The Designer and the Design - The Designer: Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of William Francis Gibbs / The Design: Greg Norris and John Milligan.
12:00 Special Tribute to Michael Alexander - Presented by Joe Rota and Jeff Henry to Toni Alexander, mother of Michael Alexander
12:30 Gala Luncheon in the Spinnaker Room
2:00 SS United States on the Big Screen - Special screening of highlights from the forthcoming film, “Lady in Waiting.”
Discussion with co-producers Robert Radler and Mark Perry
2:45 Working Aboard the Big U: From the Bridge to Times Square - Remarks by Charles Anderson, son of Commodore John Anderson. Reminiscences from Joe Muchulsky, Gerard Petroni, Joe Rota, Bill Krudener and other crewmembers from the SS United States
3:30 Open SS United States Forum - An opportunity for you to share your memories, hopes and thoughts about the SS United States! Topics will include historic preservation priorities, fostering local media interest in the SS United States, collecting SS United States memorabilia, and sharing photographs and memories!
4:00 Meeting Adjourns
5:00 Cocktail Reception at Spasso’s Italian Grill - Festive cocktail reception within walking distance of the Museum.
General Information and Registration Information
Meeting Registration and Fees
All meeting attendees should pre-register by completing and returning the attached form. Please note that while there is no cost to attend the meeting, there is a nominal charge for our special museum luncheon. Additionally, we would be most grateful for a voluntary contribution to help us defray the overall costs of this event.
Meeting Location
The meeting will be held at the Independence Seaport Museum in downtown Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Museum is located at 211 South Columbus Boulevard at the intersection of Walnut Street. For more information, contact the Museum directly at (215) 925-5439 or visit www.phillyseaport.com.
Driving Directions
Take Interstate-95 (from north or south) to exit #20 (formerly exit #16) marked variously: Historic Area, Penn's Landing, Columbus Blvd, Washington Ave. At the traffic light turn left onto Columbus Boulevard (also known as Delaware Avenue). Pass the Hyatt Regency Philadelphia at Penn's Landing on your right; the next building is the Museum. At the traffic light notice the Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge overpass ahead. Turn right into the Museum just before the bridge. The circular driveway leads to the entrance to the Penn's Landing Parking Lot.
Parking is also available at several attended lots along Penn's Landing as well as at meters and several lots in the vicinity.
Cocktail Reception
The evening cocktail reception will take place at Spasso Italian Grill and Lounge, located at 34 South Front Street. The costs of this evening event have been generously underwritten by Norwegian Cruise Line. Contact information for the restaurant is (215) 592-7661 or http://www.spassoitaliangrill.com.
Local Accommodations
For information on accommodations in the Philadelphia area, visit www.gophila.com. Please note that various local graduation festivities are scheduled during the same weekend as our meeting and celebration, and consequently hotel availability near the Museum may be limited. For a listing of accommodation options, please contact the SS United States Conservancy.
SS United States “Slop Chest”
We will offer tee-shirts, mugs, postcards, books and note cards featuring classic and modern imagery of the SS United States for sale at the meeting. For a sampling of the merchandise being offered, visit http://www.cafepress.com/ssusconservancy.
For More Information
Please contact the SS United States Conservancy at (617) 320-8459 or info@ssunitedstatesconservancy.org. For questions about local arrangements in Philadelphia, please contact Jeff Henry, the SS United States Conservancy’s Philadelphia Chairman, at (267) 784-3096 or via email at savethebigu@yahoo.com.