Happy 220th "Old Ironsides!" [10/21/17]

We invite you to join us on Saturday, October 21, as we celebrate USS Constitution's 220th birthday with her officers and crew and the National Parks of Boston in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Tour USS Constitution and write her a birthday card, watch as “Old Ironsides'” crew performs gun and boarding pike drills, enjoy live music from the Navy Band Northeast‘s rock band, Rhode Island Sound, explore the WWII Fletcher-class destroyer USS Cassin Young with special tours below decks, hear the revving of motorcycles from Rolling Thunder, make a paracord bracelet for our deployed servicemen and women, feast on food truck fare, and so much more!

Birthday Ceremony, 12:00

Join the U.S. Navy, National Park Service, and USS Constitution Museum for a birthday ceremony including the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner,” reading of the U.S. Navy’s birthday message, and firing of USS Constitution‘s saluting battery, signaling the moment of her launch in 1797.

Hands-on Activities, 11:00-4:00

Operation Gratitude

Show your appreciation to our deployed troops overseas by creating a paracord “survival” bracelet or writing a thank you letter that will be included in one of the 100,000 care packages that Operation Gratitude sends out each year.

Built to Win

President George Washington needs you to build one of the country’s 1st naval ships. Design, build, and test your own mini ship’s strength and speed. Are you up for the challenge?

Seabag Discovery Kits

Come discover what the Navy Yard has to offer with fun and games for all! Available at the USS Constitution Museum or the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center. Pick one up for the duration of your stay and explore the sites.

Color the Constitution!

A ship launch is an amazing sight! Fresh paint, bright flags, and cheering crowds in their finest clothes made for quite a spectacle when USS Constitution was launched in 1797. Color in these drawings and show us what you think it looked like!

Hands-on History

Try your hand at twisting rope, feel the difference block and tackles make, explore activities and games for little hands and the young at heart!

Tours

USS Cassin Young, special below-deck tours, 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00

Have you seen the main deck and still want more? This tour will go up to the bridge and below to the bunks. Visitors must be at least 40” tall to climb the ladders. Tours are limited to 12 people per tour, so ask a ranger for a free ticket, 45 minutes (weather and tide permitting).

Park ranger guided tours of the Charlestown Navy Yard, 11:00 and 2:00

Booths, 11:00-4:00

Battleship Cove

Home Base

United Services Organization (USO)

USS Thomas Hudner Commissioning Committee

Rolling Thunder

Food and Entertainment

Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally, 11:00

Boarding pike and gun drills, 11:00-4:00

Rhode Island Sound, 11:30-12:00 and 12:30-1:00

Enjoy your favorite tunes with live music performed by the Navy Band Northeast’s rock band!

Decca, 10:00-4:00

Food trucks, 11:00-4:00

Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center, 9:00-5:00

Serving the Fleet exhibit tell the story of civilian workers who built and repaired ships, forged chain and twisted rope all in the service of the U.S. Navy. Video shows every 15 minutes. Restrooms and bookshop open.

USS Constitution Museum, 9:00-6:00

Museum Scavenger Hunt

Whether you’re an experienced sailor, or never been out to sea, this scavenger hunt will help you explore the Museum’s galleries!

Forest to Frigate

Enter the 1790s and follow the story from the forest in which “Old Ironsides’” timbers grew to her launch as a fully formed frigate.

USS Constitution’s launch by Illustrator Stephen Biesty

Watch as Joshua Humphreys marvel makes her way into Boston Harbor back in 1797.

USS Cassin Young, 10:00-4:30

Explore the main deck for yourself!

USS Constitution, 10:00-5:00

Board and tour America’s Ship of State! Don’t forget to bring your government-issued I.D.

Happy 220th "Old Ironsides!"

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