Think Big -- Make the Big U a National Landmark!
rhwest...@yahoo.com
Lately many of you have been asking for the S.S. United States
Foundation to begin the process of getting the S.S. United States
listed as a National Historic Landmark. Let me reassure you that we
have wanted this designation for the Big U for quite sometime and even
began the nomination process in earnest several years ago. The reason
why we sought this designation, in part, is because the owner can
still do what ever he wants--without any questions. But the best part
of the deal is the owner can, if he desires, get a tax credit for any
restoration work. With a ship the size of the SSUS this could mean
millions of dollars in tax credits.
However, the only way this process can continue is if Norwegian Cruise
Lines (NCL) permits the listing. In fact, the current administration
at the National Park Service's National Historic Landmarks Program has
told me that NCL must write them a simple letter giving their consent
to proceed with a nomination otherwise "it will go nowhere" or so I am
told.
In short, the Foundation has done all that it can to bring awareness
to the Big U through important historic designations and our last
effort was dismissed with no explanation from the National Trust for
Historic Preservation (we're still waiting to hear why the nomination
was turned down).
It is now time for the good people who compose the board of directors
of the S.S. United States Conservancy to step up to the plate and
deliver. Many have pinned their hopes to the Conservancy's strategies
and "open line of communication" with NCL. (I'm not so confident).
Having meet and greet gatherings (however swank), peddling trinkets
(however cool) and selling calendars (however disposable), and
gathering an archive of memorabilia (there are at least two huge SSUS
archives in museums already) is not going to raise the ever important
national profile of the S.S. United States-too all Americans. Listing
as a National Landmark will. (The media attention and national
awareness that followed the Foundation's 1999 listing on the National
Register of Historic Places was worldwide and brought the plight of
the Big U to the attention of many including NCL.)
Only about 2,000 sites are listed as National Landmarks across the
country and it is by far the most important recognition any historic
structure/site can obtain being owned by a private entity. Most
importantly, as stated above, it still allows the owner to do what he
will to the site without having to seek any approval from any
government or private entity.
Simply put, NCL and the Conservancy have absolutely nothing to lose by
nominating the Big U as a National Historic Landmark.
All this talk of a "Plan B" if NCL fails to come through with
restoring the Big U is foolish prattle unless the mechanisms are in
place to allow a "Plan B" to be executed efficiently. One of those
vital mechanisms is the highest form of privately held historic
designation. And to accomplish this, all NCL has to do is write a
short letter giving their go ahead to National Landmark listing to:
J. Paul Loethep
Chief, NHL Program
1849 C Street, NW
MB: 2280
Washington, DC 20240
And all the Conservancy has to do is summit the nomination and the
National Historic Landmark Program does the rest. It's as easy as that
and for those skeptics out there I encourage you to contact National
Historic Landmark Program yourself at http://www.cr.nps.gov/nhl/REGIONS.htm
or call 202/354-2216.
So now that everyone knows that listing the Big U as a National
Landmark is a win-win situation for both NCL and the Conservancy (and
the many supporters of the SSUS). We at the Foundation will wait and
see just how quick this - or the excuses - happen.
Robert Hudson Westover
Chairman
S.S. United States Foundation
Washington, DC