Trying on a sailor's shirt. Courtesy USS Constitution Museum

Visitors to Museum’s galleries experience Constitution’s history and the lives of the men who sailed her.

The stories of CONSTITUTION and the people associated with her come to life in the Museum’s exhibits. Two “core” exhibits and smaller, temporary shows interpret objects from CONSTITUTION's varied career in American history. Along with artifacts in cases, the Museum’s exhibits let visitors explore and experience the Ship’s history in engaging interactive exhibits that make a personal connection to Old Ironsides.

“Old Ironsides in War and Peace” chronicles the Ship’s first 200 years; how and why she was built, how she earned her fame in the War of 1812, why the US Navy still preserves the 207-year old wooden frigate as a commissioned warship. Artifacts, documents, and photographs illustrate CONSTITUTION's decisive and symbolic role in US history. Visitors learn how the Ship’s innovative structure and strong materials made her invincible, then see the art works, literature, souvenirs, and awards that demonstrate her place in America’s affections.

Enjoying a meal of hardtack and stew as part of a sailors' mess. Courtesy USS Constitution Museum

In “Sailors Speak: A Sailor’s Life for Me?” visitors learn about sailors' experience at sea by taking part in traditional sea-faring activities. Fire a Cannon, Furl a Sail, Make a Mess, and Scrape the Deck are some of the hands-on seamen’s duties that families can share. Sailors Speak is based on the Museum’s ongoing historical research into sailors’ and officers’ personal stories and their lives on board during the War of 1812. The first phase of the exhibit, “A Sailor’s Life for Me?” opened in 2005, but using visitor surveys and interviews, this show will be in constant revision until its completion date in 2007.

Many museums have designated “kids’” galleries. With Sailors Speak, USSCM may be the only major history museum in America designing all-ages, hands-on, interactive exhibits for children and adults to enjoy “family learning.”

The Museum’s temporary exhibits highlight fascinating episodes in the Ship’s history.

	Using an interactive device to test how Constitution responds to wind direction. Courtesy USS Constitution Museum

The Barbary War
The United States started her career as a world naval power in the Barbary War (1803–1805), when CONSTITUTION saw thrilling engagements in Tripoli harbor and the Mediterranean Sea. Her battle-hardened officers would later serve gloriously as commanders in the War of 1812. In an evocative setting that includes a palace and even a prison, antique and exotic weapons, ship models, paintings, and Congressional Medals of Honor combine to tell a complex story of strong personalities and dramatic events: hand-to hand combat, letters in secret ink, and the US Marines’ legendary 400-mile trek “to the shores of Tripoli.”

Model Shop
The Museum is home to the USS CONSTITUTION Model Shipwright Guild. Guild members staff a model shop in the second floor gallery, where they create ship models and discuss their work with visitors. Many of their models go on to be exhibited in the Museum’s galleries. Now in its 26^th year, the Guild meets monthly at the Museum. For four weeks each winter, the Museum hosts a popular juried show of dozens of their new models, from fishing smacks and warships to yachts and supertankers.

Talking with a modeler about his work. Courtesy USS Constitution Museum