Some of the most storied battleships in American
naval history began life at Charlestown Navy Yard. Established in 1800
as one of the country’s first naval yards, Charlestown remained vital to
US security until its decommissioning in 1974. From the 200-year-old
wooden-hulled USS Constitution to the World War II-era steel destroyer USS Cassin Young, the yard gives visitors an all-hands-on-deck historical experience unparalleled in America.
Visitors’ Center
Water shuttle from Long Wharf
Bunker Hill Monument
Naval Yard Visitors’ Center
USS Cassin Young
USS Constitution
USS Constitution Museum
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Given her 25-inch (63-cm) thick hull at the waterline, it’s easy to imagine why USS Constitution earned her nickname “Old Ironsides.” Pitted against HMS Guerriere during the War of 1812, the ship engaged its enemy in a shoot-out that left Guerriere all but destroyed. Upon witnessing British cannon balls “bouncing” off USS Constitution’s hull, a sailor allegedly exclaimed, “Huzzah! Her sides are made of iron.” The rest is history.
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Defensive guns
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Try some pub grub at the atmospheric 18th-century Warren Tavern (
2 Pleasant St
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Visitors must pass through a metal detector to board the USS Constitution.
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All sights at Charlestown Navy Yard are free.
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Muster House, Commandant’s House, and the Ropewalk are closed to the public
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Top 10 Attractions
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USS Constitution
First tested in action during the War of 1812, the USS Constitution is the world’s oldest warship still afloat. A tugboat helps her perform an annual turnaround cruise on July 4th.
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Bunker Hill Monument
Ten
minutes’ walk from the yard is this 220-ft (67-m) granite obelisk,
which has towered over Charlestown since 1842. It commemorates the first
major battle of the American Revolution .
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Navy Yard Visitors’ Center
Begin
your stroll through the Yard at the National Park Service-operated
Visitors’ Center, where you can pick up literature about the site’s many
attractions and check on tour schedules.
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Marine Railway
The
Navy Yard constantly evolved to meet changing demands and developments.
The marine railway was built in 1918 to haul submarines and other
vessels out of the water for hull repairs.
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USS Constitution Museum
With
enough activities to keep kids entertained and plenty of nautical
trivia to satisfy a naval historian, this museum brings USS Constitution’s 200 years to life. This watercolor on ivory is of 19th-century naval hero Commodore William Bainbridge.
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Ropewalk
This
quarter-mile-long (0.5 km) building (1837) houses steam-powered
machinery that produced rope rigging for the nation’s warships.
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Dry Dock #1
To
facilitate hull repairs on the navy’s ships, Dry Dock #1 was opened in
1833. The granite dock was drained by massive steam-powered pumps. USS Constitution was the first ship to be given an overhaul here.
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Commandant’s House
The
oldest building in the yard (1805) housed the commandants of the First
Naval District. With its sweeping harbor views and wraparound porch,
this elegant mansion was ideal for entertaining dignitaries from all
over the world.
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Muster House
This
octagonal brick building was designed in the Georgian-revival style
popular in the northeast in the mid-19th-century. The house served as an
administration hub, where the Yard’s clerical work was carried out.
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USS Cassin Young
Never
defeated, despite withstanding multiple kamikaze bomber-attacks in the
Pacific, this World War II era destroyer could be considered USS Constitution’s 20th-century successor.
