USS Constitution Museum

USS Constitution Museum The Museum preserves and shares the stories of "Old Ironsides" and those who shaped her history with
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The USS Constitution Museum preserves and shares the stories of "Old Ironsides" and those who shaped her history with exhibits and programs for all ages. The USS Constitution Museum and the USS Constitution (the Ship) are operated by different organizations. See the Ship's website (http://www.navy.mil/local/constitution/) for the most up-to-date information about the Ship's public visitation hours.

*It's the holiday season* and the Museum Store is offering free shipping on all orders over $25 through December 12! Get...
12/01/2023

*It's the holiday season* and the Museum Store is offering free shipping on all orders over $25 through December 12! Get your USS Constitution inspired gifts, including distinctive items made from salvaged wood and metal from the Ship! Give the gift of history: https://bit.ly/3VAqVTz 🎁 🎄 🔔




It's the most wonderful time... 🎶  Visit USS Constitution on Friday, Dec 8, for the annual tree lighting on board "Old I...
12/01/2023

It's the most wonderful time... 🎶 Visit USS Constitution on Friday, Dec 8, for the annual tree lighting on board "Old Ironsides!" Come and officially kick off the holiday season with us. The details: https://bit.ly/49ITztq 🎄 🔔 ⚓







📷 Courtesy U.S. Navy

A vigilant guardian of freedom and peace, since 1797.
12/01/2023

A vigilant guardian of freedom and peace, since 1797.

Navy Football unveils its "Silent Service" uniforms, designed to honor the U.S. Submarine Force, its families and supporting personnel on Dec. 9 at the 124th...

Psssst. Did you hear? There's a game in town next week.....  Come get in the spirit with us! Make a pennant, cheer on Pa...
11/30/2023

Psssst. Did you hear? There's a game in town next week..... Come get in the spirit with us! Make a pennant, cheer on Patriot Games, take the "Ready, Aim, Fire" challenge, decorate gingerbread, and say hi to Santa. It's all happening at Charlestown Navy Yard at the Museum and with USS Constitution https://bit.ly/49ITztq 🏈 🇺🇸



📸 Courtesy U.S. Navy

It was a beautiful day in Boston! Members of our Curatorial Department joined colleagues at the Boston Area Collections ...
11/29/2023

It was a beautiful day in Boston! Members of our Curatorial Department joined colleagues at the Boston Area Collections Coalition meeting yesterday to share updates on projects and tour collections spaces. Thank you to the Museum of Science, Boston, for hosting! 👏


11/29/2023

Join us on Thursday, December 7 at 11:30 a.m. for a gathering of remembrance and a wreath-laying ceremony on the World War II-era destroyer USS CASSIN YOUNG to remember and honor those who perished in the 1941 attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

The program begins with lunch and a speaking program at the USS Constitution Museum, followed by an outdoor ceremony beside CASSIN YOUNG. The program will conclude with warm beverages at the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center.

The event is free and open to the public.

USS Constitution USS Constitution Museum Boston Harbor Now
Photo Credit: NPS Photo/Gould

Can we count on you to stand with the USS Constitution Museum this  ? Our members and supporters know that the Museum’s ...
11/29/2023

Can we count on you to stand with the USS Constitution Museum this ? Our members and supporters know that the Museum’s exhibits and public programs celebrate honor, courage, and service every day. Your gift supports our core mission to preserve and share the essential stories of “Old Ironsides” and her crew to inspire current and future generations of Americans: https://bit.ly/3uAntzU

USS Constitution Crew in the House!  We hosted members of the active-duty U.S. Navy crew for the morning with our educat...
11/28/2023

USS Constitution Crew in the House! We hosted members of the active-duty U.S. Navy crew for the morning with our education and museum learning team. So much to know about "Old Ironsides" and its ongoing storied history! We couldn't ask for a better partner in the effort to share this national treasure and its legacy with people from all over the world! 🌏 ⚓ !



On this global day of giving, please stand with the USS Constitution Museum to celebrate honor, courage, and service. US...
11/28/2023

On this global day of giving, please stand with the USS Constitution Museum to celebrate honor, courage, and service. USS Constitution is a treasured symbol of our country, demonstrating all that Americans can achieve when we dare to dream and take action. With your gift, our dynamic exhibits and public programs will continue to inspire leaders, engage students, strengthen families, and honor veterans. https://bit.ly/3uAntzU .

It's  !  The USS Constitution Museum is powered by donations from friends and supporters like you.  Your gift supports t...
11/28/2023

It's ! The USS Constitution Museum is powered by donations from friends and supporters like you. Your gift supports the Museum’s essential mission to preserve and share the inspiring stories of “Old Ironsides” and its crew. Together we are transforming how people of all ages experience history.

Please give today: https://bit.ly/3uAntzU

Today only: your chance to gift distinctive, unique and  ! spreading cheer at 20% off!  It's   and our Museum Store is c...
11/27/2023

Today only: your chance to gift distinctive, unique and ! spreading cheer at 20% off! It's and our Museum Store is celebrating! USS Constitution inspired apparel, mugs, books, and exclusive gifts. Give a storied gift. Use the code "CYBER2023" at check out! https://bit.ly/3i3XBGe

All the home pizza oven owners take note: USS Constitution cooks in 1812 were equipped with the latest   that makes our ...
11/26/2023

All the home pizza oven owners take note: USS Constitution cooks in 1812 were equipped with the latest that makes our modern day ovens look positively tame. Meet the iron stove! https://bit.ly/3sKsxkE ⚓ 👨‍🍳 🔥 🥘

📸 An 1827 plan of a frigate’s stove at the Boston Navy Yard. [National Archives], A 1914 photo of the ship’s current stove. The open hearth now faces the stern, rather than the bow.

Get that "Holiday Huzzah!" feeling when you support   and save 15% on your entire order at our Museum Store! The   Weeke...
11/25/2023

Get that "Holiday Huzzah!" feeling when you support and save 15% on your entire order at our Museum Store! The Weekend Event is on! Exclusive USS Constitution inspired merchandise -- the gift of history! Use the code BLACKFRIDAY15 at checkout to save through 11-26! https://bit.ly/3i3XBGe ⚓ 🎁

While Supplies last. Does not combine with any other offer or discount.






Black Friday Weekend Sale event is underway! 15% off the entire Museum Store site!  Give the timeless gift of USS Consti...
11/24/2023

Black Friday Weekend Sale event is underway! 15% off the entire Museum Store site! Give the timeless gift of USS Constitution pens, made from wood salvaged from the Ship. Handmade in Maine by a master wood turner and exclusive to our store. 🎁 ✒️

Use code BLACKFRIDAY15 at checkout to save on your entire order now through Nov 26th.
While supplies last. Does not combine with any other offer or discount.



And you thought Uncle Eddie had a little too much to drink at the turkey dinner.... Did USS Constitution's crew really d...
11/24/2023

And you thought Uncle Eddie had a little too much to drink at the turkey dinner.... Did USS Constitution's crew really drink 250,000 gallons of booze on one 7-month trip? This story circulates online every so often... learn why the crew would have been dead and the ship sunk if it were true! https://bit.ly/3rizYyS

📷 An unidentified boatswain’s mate contemplates the grog tub in the 1930s. [USS Constitution Museum Collection.]

Today, when we give thanks, we're mindful that life at sea might have been a bit more chaotic than just worrying about t...
11/23/2023

Today, when we give thanks, we're mindful that life at sea might have been a bit more chaotic than just worrying about the post-Thanksgiving dinner pile of dishes to clean! Learn about what a meal on was like in 1840! 🍗 🍵 🍷

And, Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at The USS Constitution Museum.

When Americans sit down to Thanksgiving dinner, many take a moment to reflect on the things for which they are thankful. But those snug in. . .

Don't miss the big Museum Store event,  Nov 23-26! Everything on the site is 15% off, using the code BLACKFRIDAY15 at ch...
11/22/2023

Don't miss the big Museum Store event, Nov 23-26! Everything on the site is 15% off, using the code BLACKFRIDAY15 at checkout. Exclusive and special gifts made from salvaged wood and metal from USS Constitution. Shop online at: https://bit.ly/3i3XBGe 🎁 ⚓

While supplies last. Does not combine with any other offer or discount.

The Museum is open today, but will be closed for Thanksgiving.  We reopen on Friday morning and invite you to join us! A...
11/22/2023

The Museum is open today, but will be closed for Thanksgiving. We reopen on Friday morning and invite you to join us! After that turkey dinner and pumpkin pie, come on out and work it off with a stroll around the Museum! 🙂

We're two weeks away from Army-Navy Game Week at the Museum! Join in the spirit week activities from the 6th-9th in Char...
11/21/2023

We're two weeks away from Army-Navy Game Week at the Museum! Join in the spirit week activities from the 6th-9th in Charlestown Navy Yard! Game on! . Get the details: https://bit.ly/49ITztq




📸 Courtesy U.S. Navy

The Patriot Games are Coming! 📣 🏈  The Army-Navy Patriot Games extends the competition to a "friendly challenge" that wi...
11/19/2023

The Patriot Games are Coming! 📣 🏈 The Army-Navy Patriot Games extends the competition to a "friendly challenge" that will start at Minuteman National Park, Concord, Ma, include a parade in Boston, and culminate right here at the Charlestown Navy Yard! ! Come cheer on the Midshipmen with us! It's all happening on Friday, December 8th.

Details: https://bit.ly/3R4am2D

Get a head start on holiday shopping! Our Museum Store is featured in a gift guide with exclusive products from other cu...
11/18/2023

Get a head start on holiday shopping! Our Museum Store is featured in a gift guide with exclusive products from other cultural institutions across the country. It's all from MuzeMerch, our e-commerce partner. 🎁 Start shopping now: https://www.muzemerch.com/holiday-gift-guide

Sailors are often depicted in movies as always barefoot, but shoes were so important to USS Constitution sailors that on...
11/17/2023

Sailors are often depicted in movies as always barefoot, but shoes were so important to USS Constitution sailors that one sailor almost drowned because he wouldn’t take off his shoes! Learn why shoes mattered: https://bit.ly/49ItZEQ

📷 A detail from an 1830s watercolor of sailors balancing on a foot rope. All wear shoes. USS Constitution Museum Collection.

11/16/2023

The sun sets on a beautiful Fall day at the Museum with USS Constitution, Dry Dock 1, and the Boston skyline in view. What's outside your window?


When Ships collided some of the men would try to force their way onto the enemy's decks they did so armed with pikes, ax...
11/14/2023

When Ships collided some of the men would try to force their way onto the enemy's decks they did so armed with pikes, axes, and cutlasses. Here's more about these tools of the trade. [short 1-min video]

When the hulls of sailing warships intentionally or accidentally crashed together in early 19th century battles, some of the men who were listed as “boarders...

"Shall I board her?" Today we honor LT William Sharp Bush, the the first U.S. Marine Corps officer killed in combat duri...
11/13/2023

"Shall I board her?"

Today we honor LT William Sharp Bush, the the first U.S. Marine Corps officer killed in combat during the War of 1812. Born in 1786 in Wilmington, Delaware, Bush was the son of John Bush, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War. He joined USS Constitution in charge of the ship's Marine detachment. Within a month, Constitution engaged HMS Guerriere some 200 miles east of Halifax, Nova Scotia. On the quarterdeck with his Marines, Bush stood poised to strike should the opportunity arise.

“In the heat of the action the Marines were called aft, led by the illustrious Bush, who, mounting the taffrail, sword in hand, and as he exclaimed “Shall I board her” received the fatal ball in his left cheek bone, which passed through to the back of his head, thus fell that Great and Good officer, who when living was beloved & now gone, is lamented by all. His loss is deeply regretted by his country & friends, but he died as he lived, with honor to both.”

Portrait of LT Bush, 1811, from the collection of National Museum of the Marine Corps

Today we're also giving a shout-out to our neighbor, Home Base , who serve Veterans and their families year-round from t...
11/12/2023

Today we're also giving a shout-out to our neighbor, Home Base , who serve Veterans and their families year-round from their location here in Charlestown. Huzzah!

Stories of Hope: Joseph Suina Vietnam and Marine Corps Veteran Joseph Suina, a member of the Cochiti Pueblo, in New Mexico knows firsthand how the physical – and invisible – wounds of war impact daily life. “It was very... Read Story

We're honoring Veterans all weekend. Military families are invited to enjoy the Museum free of charge. And, in addition ...
11/12/2023

We're honoring Veterans all weekend. Military families are invited to enjoy the Museum free of charge. And, in addition to other activities, visit us to join our write-a-thon to send Veterans a letter of gratitude, from 11 am - 5 pm today.

Today, our flag still flies. We honor our Veterans and give thanks for their service and commitment.
11/11/2023

Today, our flag still flies. We honor our Veterans and give thanks for their service and commitment.

Happy Birthday to U.S. Marine Corps. The Marines have a long history of serving on board USS Constitution. We honor thei...
11/10/2023

Happy Birthday to U.S. Marine Corps. The Marines have a long history of serving on board USS Constitution. We honor their courage and bravery, matched by the honorable Marines to follow in their footsteps. !

Read more about the incredible service of the Marines on USS Chesapeake, Shannon and Constitution: https://bit.ly/3su5Lxe

📸 Courtesy U.S. Navy

This weekend, don't miss the Museum Store Sale. Choose from exclusive USS Constitution-themed gifts: the entire store is...
11/09/2023

This weekend, don't miss the Museum Store Sale. Choose from exclusive USS Constitution-themed gifts: the entire store is 10% off using the code VETERANS23 at checkout, through November 11, 2023 (While supplies last. Does not combine with any other offer or discount). Visit the store online or in Charlestown at the Museum: https://bit.ly/3VAqVTz

We are thrilled it's   -- the Museum's Miniboat program with Educational Passages is just one example of an initiative t...
11/08/2023

We are thrilled it's -- the Museum's Miniboat program with Educational Passages is just one example of an initiative that introduces students to various aspects of science, technology, engineering, and math. We've built and launched multiple vessels with students in local schools in a hands-on experience that included boat design, construction, navigation, and much more! And those boats... have made it across the Atlantic. Twice. Huzzah!

Enjoy some of the highlights from a build with Boston Public Schools.

11/08/2023
Join us in recognizing the service of our Veterans. Throughout Veterans Day Weekend at the Museum, we’ll be giving a tok...
11/07/2023

Join us in recognizing the service of our Veterans. Throughout Veterans Day Weekend at the Museum, we’ll be giving a token of our gratitude to each veteran visitor, offering a special veterans-only tour of the Ship, inviting military families to visit with free admission, offering maker activities, and hosting a write-a-thon to collect letters of gratitude for the veteran community. Pre-registration is required for some events. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Qhsapg

“At 2.30 P.M. our wheel was shot entirely away…”  What do you do when you lose the Ship's wheel in the early moments of ...
11/06/2023

“At 2.30 P.M. our wheel was shot entirely away…” What do you do when you lose the Ship's wheel in the early moments of an engagement with a British Frigate? Check out the story to learn more about what William Bainbridge, Captain of USS Constitution did in the first twenty minutes of the War of 1812 battle against HMS Java! https://bit.ly/3Sua5r1

11/03/2023

It's your last chance to test your skills, challenge your friends, and face the corgis! The final weekend of USS Constitution-themed minigolf is here. Don't miss it! Available during Museum hours....


11/02/2023

Learn about marine navigation through an active, hands-on exploration at the Museum! Join us on Saturday, November 18, when our Public Historian Carl Herzog will lead you to learn basic concepts and understand how sailors found their way along coasts in early European voyages. This workshop is suitable for teens and adults. No prior navigational experience is necessary. Don't miss this chance to learn more. Register today: https://bit.ly/3SoIyqC



The Museum preserves and shares the stories of "Old Ironsides" and those who shaped her history with

In the mid-1800s USS Constitution served as a training location for United States Naval Academy Midshipmen, who were pro...
11/01/2023

In the mid-1800s USS Constitution served as a training location for United States Naval Academy Midshipmen, who were provided with a standard issue journal. The Museum's collection includes two of these notebooks - providing a glimpse into their lives. Watch this short video to learn more: https://youtu.be/VBbbQFnLtFo?feature=shared

10/31/2023

Veterans! Join us for a very special Veterans Day Weekend tour of USS Constitution on November 11. This is a one-of-a-kind complimentary tour exclusively for Veterans and guest includes a special gift from the Museum: a U.S. Flag flown on "Old Ironsides!" For details and to submit the required pre-registration: https://bit.ly/3Qhsapg


The Museum preserves and shares the stories of "Old Ironsides" and those who shaped her history with

For over two centuries, the restoration of  has revealed "hidden secrets." Get the story about the collection of mast co...
10/30/2023

For over two centuries, the restoration of has revealed "hidden secrets." Get the story about the collection of mast coins and the history of the beautifully carved eagle that adorns the ship's stern.... https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/2017/03/17/hidden-treasures/

📷 [Courtesy Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston]

It's  ... which means we want to play Rats in the Hold! Try your hand, but don't hit the cats: https://bit.ly/3FDkYix
10/29/2023

It's ... which means we want to play Rats in the Hold! Try your hand, but don't hit the cats: https://bit.ly/3FDkYix

Address

22 1st Avenue
Boston, MA
02129

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(617) 426-1812

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Our Story

At the USS Constitution Museum we are dedicated to engaging all ages in the story of “Old Ironsides” to spark excitement about maritime heritage, naval service, and the American experience. We ensure that the stories of USS Constitution and those who shaped her history are never forgotten, always remain relevant, and inspire as many people as possible. We provide an environment where inter-generational groups seeking an enjoyable and educational experience can have fun while learning and exploring history together. Located in the historic Charlestown Navy Yard, the USS Constitution Museum is a proud partner the National Parks of Boston, Naval History & Heritage Command, and USS Constitution.

For more information, visit us at usscm.org.


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