Simone Lawson
Charlestown, Massachusetts, located at the north end of Boston, is home to the Charlestown Navy Yard and the USS Constitution. The Navy Yard was established in 1800 and over 200 warships were built and maintained there until its closing in 1974. Today, the USS Constitution Museum is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, where visitors can learn about maritime heritage, naval service, and the American experience. The museum recently completed a three-year restoration project and features hands-on exhibits, classrooms, a gift shop, and restrooms. The USS Constitution itself is one of the original six ships of the US Navy and played a significant role in the War of 1812.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Charlestown, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Year Established | 1800 |
| Year Closed | 1974 |
| Area | 130 acres |
| Features | Parks, museums, visitor centres, ships on display |
| Visitor Attractions | USS Constitution Museum, USS Cassin Young, USS Constitution, Crane & Tracks, Pier 1, Dry Dock 1, Commandant's House, Bunker Hill Monument |
| Address | USS Constitution Museum, 88 Constitution Road, Boston, MA 02129 |
| Transportation | MBTA Water Shuttle from Long Wharf, MBTA Bus #93 |
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What You'll Learn
Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center
The Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center is the entrance point for visitors seeking to explore the USS Constitution, the oldest active-duty ship in the United States Navy. As the ship is open to the public, the visitor centre maintains security protocols, including metal detectors and baggage searches. Visitors aged 18 and above must present a valid photo ID, and younger visitors must be accompanied by an adult.
The Charlestown Navy Yard Museum, located within the visitor centre, showcases the rich history of the Charlestown Navy Yard. The museum features exhibits on naval technology, the rope-making process, and the forging of die-lock anchor chain, which was invented at the yard and is the strongest in the world. Visitors can also learn about the modernisation of the shipyard, its role during World War I and II, and the demographic shifts in its workforce. The museum displays worker safety equipment and products made at the yard, with information panels indicating the buildings where they were crafted.
The centre also provides access to the USS Constitution Museum, which offers an immersive experience focused on maritime heritage, naval service, and the American experience. Visitors can explore exhibits related to the USS Cassin Young, Crane & Tracks, Pier 1, Dry Dock 1, and various buildings within the Charlestown Navy Yard. The USS Constitution Museum is highly rated by visitors.
The Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center is part of Boston National Historical Park and is one of the few attractions owned and operated by the National Park Service. Visitors should be prepared for potential delays during peak tourist seasons due to the security process, which can result in lengthy wait times to enter the centre.
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USS Constitution Museum
The USS Constitution Museum is located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, part of the Boston National Historical Park in Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States. The museum is situated near the ship USS Constitution, at the end of Boston's Freedom Trail. It is housed in a restored shipyard building at the foot of Pier 2.
The museum tells the story of the ship Constitution, also known as "Old Ironsides", and the people who designed, built, and sailed her. It does so through its collections and interactive exhibits, which include artefacts, artwork, and archival records. The museum is also home to the Samuel Eliot Morison Memorial Library, which includes a comprehensive archival repository of records related to the ship's history.
The USS Constitution Museum is a private, non-profit organisation that is managed separately from the naval ship. It is a top-rated, audience-focused institution with a track record of delighted visitors. The museum offers online games, apps, and downloads, as well as in-person exhibits.
The Board of Directors of the Museum makes three major awards annually. The Samuel Eliot Morison Award is the highest recognition by the Board of Trustees of the USS Constitution Museum Foundation. It recognises a person whose public service has enhanced the image of Constitution and reflects the values of Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison: artful scholarship, patriotic pride, and an eclectic interest in maritime affairs and preserving the past for the future. The Don Turner Award is given to those dedicated to maritime preservation and advances in ship construction and design, honouring Don Turner, former head of the USS Constitution Maintenance and Repair Facility. The third award honours museum founder Charles Francis Adams IV and his lifelong support of the community, recognising others who have followed his example in bettering the community and creating positive change for its citizens.
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Boston National Historic Park
Boston National Historical Park, designated a national park in 1974, is an association of sites showcasing Boston's role in the American Revolution and other parts of history. The park is made up of eight sites, seven of which are connected by the Freedom Trail, a walking tour of downtown Boston. All eight properties are National Historic Landmarks.
The National Park Service operates visitor centres in Faneuil Hall and at the Charlestown Navy Yard, which is home to the USS Constitution. Charlestown Navy Yard is located on the southern edge of Charlestown on the banks of the Charles River. It was used during the American Revolutionary War as a shipyard and continued to serve as a base for the US Navy until 1975. The Navy now offers tours of the USS Constitution, which is the oldest floating commissioned naval vessel in the world. The Navy Yard is also home to the USS Cassin Young, a destroyer from the Second World War that is now a museum ship.
Faneuil Hall was constructed in the 1740s and was the site of important pro-independence speeches. The Old North Church, built in 1723, was the location where Paul Revere had signal lanterns lit before his midnight ride that led to the Battles of Lexington and Concord and the start of the Revolutionary War. The Old South Meeting House, built in 1729, was the site of numerous pre-revolutionary meetings, including one attended by a crowd of over 5,000 people the night before the Boston Tea Party in 1773. The Paul Revere House, built in 1680, is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Boston and was purchased by Paul Revere in 1770. It is now a museum.
The Bunker Hill Monument, located at the top of Breed's Hill in Charlestown, is a granite obelisk constructed in the mid-19th century to commemorate the Battle of Bunker Hill. Dorchester Heights was fortified by General George Washington in March 1776, forcing the British to withdraw from Boston and ending the Siege of Boston.
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Bunker Hill Monument
The Charlestown Navy Yard is located in Boston, Massachusetts, and is home to the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides. The ship is the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel still afloat and a popular tourist attraction. Now, let's delve into the Bunker Hill Monument, which is also situated in Charlestown, Boston, and holds significant historical value.
The Bunker Hill Monument stands at the site of the Battle of Bunker Hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts. This battle was among the first significant conflicts between the United Colonies and the British Empire during the American Revolutionary War. The 221-foot granite obelisk was constructed between 1825 and 1843, with granite sourced from nearby Quincy and transported via a specially built Granite Railway and barge. The monument features 294 steps to the top, offering a steep climb for visitors.
The monument's construction was initiated by the Bunker Hill Monument Association, which formed in 1823 with the goal of erecting a memorial. They purchased 15 acres of land on Breed's Hill, where most of the fighting in the misnamed Battle of Bunker Hill actually occurred. An earlier memorial at the site, an 18-foot wooden column, had been erected in 1794 in memory of Joseph Warren, a Mason.
To fund the construction, the association began selling sections of the battlefield as house lots in 1838, retaining only the summit of Breed's Hill for the monument grounds. The Bunker Hill Monument is now surrounded by residential development, municipal infrastructure, and retail spaces. The monument underwent a $3.7 million renovation completed in 2007, enhancing accessibility and lighting, and a dedicated Bunker Hill Museum was established across the street, showcasing exhibits about the battle.
The Bunker Hill Monument is one of the earliest monuments in the United States and holds a prominent place in Boston's history and the broader narrative of the American Revolutionary War. Visitors can climb the 294 steps to the top, explore the exhibit lodge at the base, and visit the nearby Bunker Hill Museum to learn more about the battle and the monument's history.
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Charlestown Navy Yard's location and accessibility
Charlestown, Massachusetts, located on the north end of Boston directly on the Harbor, is considered the oldest neighbourhood in the city. The Charlestown Navy Yard was established in 1800, and over 200 warships were built and maintained there until its closing in 1974. Today, the 130-acre complex includes parks, museums, visitor centres, and two ships on display. On busy summer weekends, over five thousand people visit in a day.
The Navy Yard is part of the Boston National Historic Park, which also includes the Bunker Hill Monument, located about a mile from the Yard. The USS Constitution, one of the original six ships of the US Navy, is on display at the Navy Yard. The USS Constitution Museum, located in the Navy Yard, has recently completed a three-year restoration project. The two-floor museum includes many hands-on exhibit halls, classrooms, workshops, presentations, a gift shop, and restrooms located on the first floor.
The Charlestown Navy Yard is accessible by various means of transportation. It is a ten-minute water taxi ride from the New England Aquarium, with water taxis administered by Boston Harbor Cruises. MBTA Bus #93 also goes directly to the Charlestown Navy Yard from the Haymarket or Sullivan Square Station. If you are driving from the North, take the "Sullivan Square/Charlestown" exit (#20) and follow the directions provided by the USS Constitution Museum. If you are coming from the South Station, you can take the Red Line to the Park Street stop, switch to the Green Line Eastbound to the North Station stop, and walk to the Navy Yard.
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Frequently asked questions
Charlestown, Massachusetts, is located on the north end of Boston directly on the Harbor.
You can get there by walking, bus, commuter rail, or water shuttle.
You can collect six National Parks Passport stamps, use the restroom, and check out the gift shop. You can also watch a 12-minute introductory video about the history of the park and explore the USS Constitution Museum.
