Kids & Family

This Weekend: Constitution Sets Sail, Gets Stamped

A full rundown of the weekend's events at the USS Constitution museum.

The USS Constitution has a big weekend ahead of it——but the next few days are packed with other Constitution-centric events as well. Take a look.

The following was taken from ussconstitutionmuseum.org. It has been edited for brevity and format.

Friday, Aug. 17

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12:00 Noon—Constitution vs. Guerriere: What Really Happened? USS Constitution Museum
Commander Tyrone G. Martin, former Commanding Officer of USS Constitution, will share the story of Constitution’s battle with HMS Guerriere, during which she earned her nickname, “Old Ironsides.”   

7:30pm - Witness the spectacle as British, Canadian, and American War of 1812 re-enactors parade through the Navy Yard and perform a special flag-lowering (evening colors) ceremony.

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Saturday, Aug. 18

7:50 AM - Join the troops as they muster by the flag pole for a flag raising ceremony, followed by a parade through the Navy Yard.  Then the costumed re-enactors will fire a cannon salute at Dry Dock #1. 
 

9:00 AM  - 11:00 AM Musket and Cannon firing exercises, along with marching demonstrations, by American, Canadian, and British re-enactors. 

10:00 AM -  4:00 PM The Vintage Dancers will demonstrate period dances, along with period games and music, at the Commandants house.

10 AM, US Postal Service War of 1812 Stamp Unveiling. In collaboration with the United States Postal Service, the Navy Yard partners will unveil a War of 1812 Commemorative Forever® stamp in the Charlestown Navy Yard featuring USS Constitution. Representatives from USPS, Boston National Historical Park, Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston, USS Constitution, and the USS Constitution Museum will be on hand at the official dedication. First day issue stamps, stamp caches, and special cancellations will be available for purchase after the ceremony.  The original painting used for the design of the stamp will be on exhibit at the USS Constitution Museum. “Constitution,” by Michele Felice Cornè, c.1803. is courtesy of Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command and is the oldest known image of USSConstitution. 

Sunday, Aug. 19

8:30 AM  - 10: 30 PM -  Musket and Cannon firing demonstrations by USS Constitution.

10:00AM-3:00PM, Cruise Following USS Constitution as She Sets Sail
USS Constitution is scheduled to set sail in Boston Harbor on Sunday, August 19th to commemorate her victory over HMS Guerriere, when she earned her nickname "Old Ironsides." The USS Constitution Museum is partnering with Boston Harbor Cruises to offer a cruise following Constitution on this momentous event. Join us for lunch on Boston Harbor Cruises' Frederick L. Nolan for a cruise with the expert narration of USS Constitution Museum staff. 

Cruise departs from Long Wharf promptly at 10:00 AM.  Boarding begins at 9:30 AM at Long Wharf.

USS Constitution will get underway with tug assistance from the Charlestown Navy Yard at 10:00 AM. She will arrive at Castle Island 11:15 AM and will prepare to set sail to President Roads. The sails will be set by 12:00. The tug will assistConstitution back to her berth by 2:30 PM. (USS Constitution's sail is weather dependent)

Ticket price includes the cruise and lunch.  Tickets cost $75 per person ($65 for USS Constitution Museum members).  To purchase tickets online, please visit Boston Harbor Cruises' website.  To obtain the member's discount rate code, please contact the USS Constitution Museum at (617) 426-1812 ext. 124 or getinvolved@ussconstitutionmuseum.org.


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