Philadelphia Area: All Hands on Deck! Please join us for dinner, drinks, and discussion on the way ahead for the SS United States, Friday, July 31st
The IKEA Café
2206 S. Columbus Blvd
Philadelphia, PA 19148
July 31, 2009
6:00-8:00pm
Dinner will be served
On July 31, the S.S. United States Conservancy will be holding an S.S. United States awareness event and fundraiser at the South Philadelphia IKEA Café, with a spectacular view of the S.S. United States at her Delaware River pier. The program will include a panel of speakers (featuring Conservancy president Susan Gibbs, granddaughter of the ship’s designer). A buffet dinner will be served.
According to WHYY, this great ocean liner is a national treasure equal to the Statue of Liberty and Independence Hall. Former CBS anchor Walter Cronkite, Honorary Chair of the Conservancy’s Advisory Council, described the vessel’s neglect as “a crime against history,” and her rehabilitation will be a “restoration of American pride in something it should be very proud of.” Her designer William Francis Gibbs, America’s greatest naval architect, was a proud Philadelphia native.
The Conservancy hopes that this great engineering and cultural icon of 1950s America will be given a second life as a vibrant shore side attraction providing jobs and enjoyment for the people of the United States.
Funds raised will go towards public awareness outreach and in-progress design and development plans.
RSVP by Friday July 24 – admission is tax-deductible!
Register at http://www.ssunitedstatesconservancy.org/SSUS/IKEA
For additional information, email: info@ssunitedstatesconservancy.org
$25 General Admission
$50 First Class (DVD of the acclaimed PBS documentary Lady in Waiting)
$75 Captain’s Table (Lady in Waiting DVD, SS United States canvas tote bag)
$100 Blue Riband Holder (Lady in Waiting DVD, SS United States canvas tote bag, United States Lines eagle insignia polo shirt)
Reader Comments
looking forward to some IKEA Swedish meatballs.
I have a few brochures from this ship from the 1960’s that I would like to share with you. I always take a picture of the S.S. United States whenever I am at IKEA.
I must say that my primary interest with the S.S. United States is its age and decay. In this case – Stabilization as Preservation is much more interesting to me than full restoration. Selective restorations within the body of the ship allows for multiple readings of history at the same time.
I guess it could be completley restored and residential condominiums could be sold within its structure.
Good Luck with it all – It has always been one of my favorite “secrets” of Philadelphia.
YAY! This ship is too impressive to let go. So glad to hear about this – will have to check schedule for RSVP! I think condos, shopping and some dining/night spots would be awesome. And mini golf or a driving range on the fantail!
Another bit of news today was that a philanthropist has pledged $300,000 to go towards the non-profit purchase of the ship.
http://www.examiner.com/x-7726-South-Philly-Community-Examiner~y2009m7d31-Saving-the-United-States
I see the United States looking so dilapidated, it breaks my heart. Years ago I wrote to then Philadelphia City Mayor John Street offering the suggestion that the United States should be converted into a hotel/convention center. Can you imagine the number of conventions that could be drawn to Philadelphia? How about the people who might want to spend the night on the United States as a hotel? Restaurant? Now with gambling coming to Philadelphia, the perfect use for the United States, a hotel, convention center, casino. Not a real stretch of the imagination to figure out how much business could be brought to the city. The New Jersey on one side of the river, the United States on the other, great tourist attraction.