Fundraiser for a Neighborhood Museum Hit by the Govt. Shutdown

On a beautiful, fall day in October, the USS Constitution Museum – the private, non-profit that runs the historic repository – should be filled with tourists, tour groups, school kids and residents visiting and learning about "Old Ironsides" at the end of the Freedom Trail.

But as the partial US government shutdown enters its eighth day, the museum located in the National Park Service-run Charlestown Navy Yard has been behind a locked gate. 

And because the museum receives no federal funding, the week-plus lock out has had a devastating impact on the museum.

"We are losing approximately $7,000 per day in donations and store sales during a time when we usually see over thousand people every day," said Lauren McCormack, the museum's manager of Bicentennial Programs.

But thanks to a local eatery, residents have the opportunity to support a community asset and preserve the legacy of “Old Ironsides” with a good meal and some drinks tonight.

This afternoon and evening, Tuesday, Oct. 8, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Navy Yard Bistro and Wine Bar will donate 20 percent of each bill to the USS Constitution Museum. 

The award-winning bistro is located on 6th Street at 1st Avenue and can be reached at 617-242-0036. The restaurant accepts reservations for parties of eight and more.

For those with other plans tonight, people can donate to the museum at https://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/support/donate/