SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience

The SS United States Museum and Visitor Experience will stand as a striking new landmark on Florida’s Gulf Coast, honoring one of the most celebrated ocean liners in American history. Known during her service years as America’s Flagship, the SS United States carried over a million passengers across the Atlantic, setting speed records and redefining expectations for safety, comfort, and design.

In late 2025, the ship will be reefed off the coast of Okaloosa County, Florida, twenty miles out to sea. There, she will become the centerpiece of the largest artificial reef system in the world—a living monument teeming with marine life and attracting divers and fishing enthusiasts from around the globe.

On land, the museum and visitor experience will mark this transformation with equal ambition. The ship’s iconic red, white, and blue funnels—each more than six stories tall—will be preserved and integrated into a bold new museum structure. Visible from the nearby highway and unforgettable up close, the building will create a powerful sense of presence, even as the ship herself rests below the waves.

This museum is more than a tribute to a single vessel. It tells a sweeping story of American creativity, vision, and technical achievement. It explores the cultural moment that gave rise to the SS United States, the Cold War tensions that shaped her mission, and the mid-century style that defined her interiors. It will also offer deeply engaging, hands-on experiences that invite visitors of all ages to explore, learn, and connect across generations.

At its core, the project reflects the spirit of William Francis Gibbs, the ship’s brilliant and unconventional designer. He believed in bold ideas grounded in purpose. This museum aspires to carry that spirit forward—by inspiring visitors to imagine and build a better future, one grounded in curiosity, courage, and innovation.

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