SS United States Conservancy

What SS United States Conservancy does

The SS United States Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in Washington, DC in 2009, with operational headquarters in Philadelphia. Its mission is to preserve the legacy of the SS United States ocean liner, "America's Flagship," through curatorial collections, educational programming, digital exhibitions, documentary films, and oral history projects. The organization owned the SS United States vessel from 2011 until October 2024, when it was sold to Okaloosa County, Florida for conversion into the world's largest artificial reef; the Conservancy retains its archive and is now developing a planned land-based museum and visitor experience in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Florida, designed by Thinc Design, LMN Architects, and Buro Happold.

The Conservancy operates with a small paid staff of approximately four roles (President Susan Gibbs, Administrative & Program Associate, Curatorial Associate, and Outreach and Development Associate), supported by an uncompensated board of directors with deep maritime and legal expertise, plus a large network of volunteers and pro bono advisors. Its core products and services include the future museum and visitor experience, digital exhibitions (e.g., "Food Tastes Better at Sea," "Transatlantic Trailblazers"), award-winning documentary films ("SS United States: Lady in Waiting" and "SS United States: Made in America"), oral history projects, a merchandise e-commerce store, and event-based experiences such as cruises and lectures. Revenue is generated through individual donations, memberships, merchandise sales, event tickets (e.g., $125 Philadelphia lunch cruise), and a one-time financial compensation from Okaloosa County tied to the vessel sale. The organization reached supporters across all 50 U.S. states and nearly three dozen countries, though no revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

SS United States Conservancy

Legal name

SS United States Conservancy

Website

https://ssusc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The SS United States Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit preserving the legacy of the SS United States ocean liner through a planned museum, digital exhibitions, documentary films, oral histories, and merchandise, serving maritime heritage enthusiasts, former passengers, and the general public.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Membership: Tax-deductible contributions from supporters worldwide. The Conservancy raises funds through membership programs and direct donations to support preservation efforts and future museum development.
2. Merchandise Sales: Online store selling postcards, artwork, accessories, antiques, collectibles, and other SS United States themed merchandise.
3. Event Tickets: Revenue from special events such as cruise excursions, lectures, and speaking engagements. Example: Philadelphia lunch cruise tickets at $125 per person.
4. Vessel Sale Compensation: Financial compensation received from Okaloosa County, Florida for the sale of the SS United States vessel in October 2024, potentially including funds for future land-based museum.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The SS United States Conservancy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the SS United States ocean liner. Its offerings include curatorial collections, online digital exhibitions, documentary films, oral history projects, and a planned land-based museum and visitor experience in Florida. It funds these activities through donations, memberships, merchandise sales, and ticketed events.

Product overview

The SS United States Conservancy operates as a nonprofit organization focused on preserving the legacy of the SS United States ocean liner through multiple interconnected programs: a planned Museum and Visitor Experience in Destin-Fort Walton Beach, Digital Exhibitions (including 'Food Tastes Better at Sea,' 'Transatlantic Trailblazers,' and 'Advertising the United States'), Documentary Films ('SS United States: Made in America' and 'SS United States: Lady in Waiting'), and Oral History Projects. The Conservancy also runs educational programs including the 250th Anniversary Program, the Bon Voyage Campaign, and maintains a merchandise store. These offerings work together to fulfill the Conservancy's mission of celebrating and commemorating America's Flagship through physical exhibitions, digital content, historical documentation, and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience A planned land-based museum and visitor center that will showcase the Conservancy's extensive collection of art, artifacts, archival documentation, and iconic components from the SS United States, featuring immersive experiences and interactive displays. Targeted at visitors, maritime heritage enthusiasts, former passengers, and educational audiences.
• Digital Exhibitions Dynamic online exhibitions exploring the ship's cultural and historical significance, allowing global audiences to connect with the SS United States story. Targeted at the general public, history enthusiasts, and educational visitors.
• Documentary Films Award-winning documentary films including 'SS United States: Made in America' (2014) and 'SS United States: Lady in Waiting' (2008), featuring archival footage, interviews with former passengers and crew, and preservation efforts. Targeted at general public, educational audiences, and media outlets.
• Oral History Projects Programs collecting and preserving video testimonials and oral histories from former passengers, crew members, and individuals connected to the SS United States. Targeted at researchers, educators, former passengers and crew, and the general public.
• SS United States Conservancy Store Online e-commerce store offering merchandise including postcards, artwork, accessories, antiques, collectibles, t-shirts, hats, puzzles, tote bags, and sweatshirts related to the SS United States. Targeted at supporters, maritime heritage enthusiasts, and gift buyers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Every dollar spent on artificial reefs in the Florida Panhandle generates $138 in economic benefit over the lifespan (13,800% ROI)

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Okaloosa County, FloridacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 October 2024In October 2024, the Conservancy sold the SS United States to Okaloosa County, Florida for conversion into the world's largest artificial reef off Destin-Fort Walton Beach. The partnership includes compensation for the vessel and a seed grant to help construct the future land-based museum and immersive experience. The county is preserving key ship components including the towering funnels and propeller for museum display.
• Thinc DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThinc Design, one of the country's premier museum and exhibit design firms, is leading the design and development of the future SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience.
• LMN ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Thinc Design for architecture services in developing the future museum and visitor experience plans.
• Buro HappoldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngineering firm partnered with Thinc Design and LMN Architects for comprehensive museum planning and development.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Maritime Historical Society: National nonprofit dedicated to preserving and celebrating U.S. maritime history through publications, advocacy, and events. Comparable as a membership-driven advocacy and education nonprofit in maritime heritage.
• USS Constitution Museum: Museum affiliated with a U.S. Navy historic warship (USS Constitution) that preserves naval heritage through exhibits and education. Comparable as a nonprofit museum tied to a single historic vessel with a national-identity narrative.
• South Street Seaport Museum: New York-based maritime museum preserving sailing vessels and waterfront heritage. Comparable as a nonprofit maritime heritage museum with educational programming and a single-site attraction model.
• Queen Mary (Long Beach): Historic ocean liner permanently docked and operated as a hotel, museum, and event venue. Highly comparable as another former flagship ocean liner repurposed into a heritage tourism and event-driven attraction with similar real-estate and stewardship challenges.
• Maritime Museum of San Diego: Maritime museum operating a fleet of historic vessels including the Star of India. Comparable as a nonprofit that curates ships and maritime artifacts for public education and tourism.
• Historic Naval Ships Association: Membership organization supporting the fleet of historic U.S. naval ships preserved as museums. Comparable peer for a heritage nonprofit stewarding an iconic vessel and advocating for its preservation.
• Titanic Historical Society: Nonprofit membership organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of an iconic transatlantic ocean liner. Most directly comparable peer given the parallel mission of stewarding memorabilia, oral histories, and public exhibitions around a single storied ship.

Broad incumbents

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: Large national preservation nonprofit with advocacy, grantmaking, and member programs. Comparable as a heritage nonprofit model with donations, membership, and grant funding, though at vastly greater scale and broader scope.
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: Large ship-based museum built on a decommissioned aircraft carrier in New York City. Comparable as a vessel-anchored museum with admissions, events, and education programming, but operates at substantially greater scale and scope.
• Mystic Seaport Museum: Largest maritime museum in the U.S., combining preserved vessels, exhibits, and education. Comparable as a maritime-heritage nonprofit museum with vessel collections, education programs, and membership-driven support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@VideoSSUSC
• Facebookfacebook.com/SSUSC
• Instagraminstagram.com/ssusc
• Xx.com/SSUSC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SS United States Conservancy