Samuel Eliot Morison Memorial Library

The Samuel Eliot Morison Memorial Library.
Courtesy USS Constitution Museum

The Samuel Eliot Morison Memorial Library holds a strong collection of primary documents and secondary works related to USS CONSTITUTION. The Library’s resources are useful to historians, educators, and ship modelers, with limited genealogical information. The 2,000-volume library includes general maritime titles, local and federal period history, and books about USS CONSTITUTION, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Marine Corps.

The manuscript collection is comprised of ship’s logbooks, journals and personal correspondence of USS CONSTITUTION'S crew; early nineteenth century newspapers; modern copies of maintenance reports; twentieth century restoration records and deck logs.
View Archives Inventory.

The Samuel Eliot Morison Memorial Library is open to the public Monday through Friday 10:00 am to 4:00 pm by appointment. Researchers interested in using the library should contact the librarian at least one week in advance by telephone at 617-426-1812, ext. 137 or via email at Curator@ussconstitutionmuseum.org.
War is Declared Broadside
June 22, 1812
Museum Purchase, Commodores Fund [1796.1]
Courtesy USS Constitution Museum

Research Assistance

Some ready reference questions may be answered through the Frequently Asked Questions section.

Patrons may request research assistance for all other questions. Please read the following guidelines before requesting assistance.

• Submit a written research request using the Reference Request Form. The form may be printed and mailed to: Librarian, USS Constitution Museum, P.O. Box 1812, Boston, MA 02129 or submitted via email.
• Fees for Service vary. Prepayment is required.
• Requests are handled on a first come, first served basis and may take up to four weeks.
• Staff will conduct a maximum of six hours of research per request.

 

 

Rights and Reproduction

To request an image from the collection for commercial use or public display or for licensing agreements, please review the Fees for Service page and submit a written request using the Reference Request Form. The form may be printed and mailed or submitted via email.