USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides": a fun visit for all ages!
Written: Feb 12 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Interesting history in a beautiful, waterfront location. Very inexpensive.
Cons: Can be very cold and windy in winter. Parking is a challenge!
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| vickie's Full Review: Boston |
The waterfront in the Charlestown area of Boston is home to the USS Constitution and it's museum. This is actually a stop on Boston's extended Freedom Trail and it's a worthwhile stop for visitors and residents of all ages. Naval personnel give guided tours of the ship to groups of 100 (or less) every half hour.
The USS Constitution is the oldest, active, fully commissioned military vessel in the world. Many Americans remember the day in 1997 when, for her 200th birthday, the frigate sailed out of Boston Harbor under her own power. The frigate boasts a proud record, especially during the war of 1812, against the British. Her nickname, "Old Ironsides" is said to derive from the awestruck shout of a British sailor seeing his ship's cannonballs bounce of f the rock-hard live oak hull of the Constitution.
The ship itself is awesome. It's hard to believe that 500 sailors lived on this ship for a year or two at a time. The tour provided by Navy enlisted personnel is very informative and tour guides are happy to answer even the most mundane questions. The tour takes you to three levels of the ship: the upper deck (for a close look at the cannons, the rigging, etc), the gun deck (more cannons, fabulous stories about the powder monkeys, life aboard ship and combat operations) and the deck where the sailors slept (in hammocks and in shifts!). You can see the ship's officers quarters and captains quarters-much better accommodations than the enlisted got but unbelievably cramped! Take the tour: it's free and well worth your time!
Near the ship is the USS Constitution Museum-well worth a detour to explore. The museum has lots of exhibits about the ship itself as well as what the world was like in the early 1800's. There are exhibits about how the ship was built, uniforms of the crew, news and politics of the day, exotic waters and ports-of-call visited by the ship (China, Southeast Asia, Mexico, Hawaii, etc.). There is an incredible model of a boat made out of cloves (from Asian spice islands) circa 1940-I couldn't stop staring at it! There's even an area with incredible model ships. Here volunteer model makers work on-site, answer questions and are incredibly charming and captivating. There is even a club for model makers which grooms and nurtures interested children and adults!
The museum has a lot to offer for adults. It also offers children some special ways to learn about history in ways that are tailored to their curiosity. There are many interactive exhibits as well as games and puzzles to complete on easels with pencils and colorful activity sheets provided. I particularly like a game called "Ports-of-Call" in which children follow clues to collect answers to 9 questions and then arrange them in a crossword puzzle which reveals the Constitution's mission on a cruise. Another favorite is "Cruise Crew's Clues", which requires children to read rhymes aloud, find parts of specific exhibits and answer riddles. There is even a special "Welcome" brochure for children which has an activity sheet that guides children through the museum exhibits as they walk and encourages them to answer questions and solicit assistance from parents, teachers and museum personnel.
There is no fee to enter this museum. It is not federally supported but relies on donation for support. Be sure to make a donation to one of the boxes on your way out. You'll feel like it is more than worth the enjoyed and education you received!
OTHER AREA SITES
Docked a few yards behind the Constitution is the destroyer USS Cassin Young. This ship is also open for tours. She served during World War II in the Pacific and say action at Iwo Jim and Okinawa.
This area of the Boston waterfront has a really interesting walk around the water's edge, called the Harborwalk. Weather-permitting, this is a glorious walk that is not strenuous. The waters of the harbor are fascinating and you can see planes taking off and landing from Boston's Logan Airport: close enough to captivate "children" , both big and small!
Near the Constitution is a plaque which memorializes the site of Paul Revere's landing, by boat from Boston, on April 18, 1775. He had set out to warn of the march of British troops on Lexington and Concord (see my epinions of Lexington and Concord under Travel>Destinations>North America> US> Massachusetts). Paul Revere departed Boston by water, was rowed to Charlestown, and landed here. He walked into Charlestown, borrowed a hose and rode of into the countryside on that famous ride we all know about!
The Constitution is docked next to the Boston Navy Yard. Today, most of the yard has been converted to office and residential use and it's a great place to walk on a nice day. There is a large and active marina as well as grassy areas where people read and sunbathe-great for people watching! There is also a great little bar and restaurant, open all year-round, called Tavern on the Water. You can read about this in epinions' Restaurant section under "Boston". Explore the area. Enjoy! The Bunker Hill Memorial is also a (long) walk away!
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
vickie
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Location: Waltham, MA
Reviews written: 75
Trusted by: 113 members
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