Crew Training

Interpreting Constitution is a year-round series of monthly training classes related to the history and public presentation of USS Constitution. This program is conducted by the USS Constitution Museum.

COURSE INSTRUCTORS

Carl Herzog, Public Historian, USS Constitution Museum
617-286-5026
cherzog@usscm.org

Kelsey Archer Merriam, Education Manager, USS Constitution Museum
617-426-1812 x131
kmerriam@usscm.org

Sarah Dunbar, Community Engagement Manager, USS Constitution Museum
617-426-1812 x113
sdunbar@usscm.org

Kate Monea, Manager of Curatorial Affairs, USS Constitution Museum
617-426-1812 x118
kmonea@usscm.org

Chris Kauffman, Director of Visitor Experience, USS Constitution Museum
617-426-1812 x106
ckauffman@usscm.org

 

ESSENTIAL RESOURCES

Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution
Charles E. Brodine, Michael J. Crawford, and Christine F. Hughes (Naval Historical Center)
Men of Iron: USS Constitution’s War of 1812 Crew Matthew Brenckle, Lauren McCormack and Sarah Watkins (USS Constitution Museum)
Against All Odds: U.S. Sailors in the War of 1812 Charles E. Brodine, Jr., Michael J. Crawford, Christine F. Hughes
200 Years of Change: An Illustrated Tour Handout Margherita Desy
USS Constitution Museum Website www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org

 

MONTHLY TOPICS

September 2024: Course Introduction, Global Trade, From the Freedom Trail to a new Navy

• Introduction to course topics and USSCM’s approach to education. 
• Why did U.S. merchants need naval protection? How did trade connect the new country to the rest of the world?
• Many visitors think USS Constitution was in the Revolutionary War. Why did the Continental Navy disband and how was it different from the new U.S. Navy?

 

October 2024: Designing Constitution, Built in Boston

• What made USS Constitution’s design innovative? What advantages did it achieve over its rivals?
• USS Constitution was constructed in Edmund Hartt’s shipyard, but the materials came from across the country. What did it take to build this vessel in the 1790s?

 

November 2024: Anatomy of a Sailing Machine

• Simulated group challenges will help answer the question: how do you sail a vessel like USS Constitution?

 

December 2024: 1812 Battles and their Themes

• Each of Constitution’s War of 1812 battles carried significant meaning for the nation and its people. They also represent specific successes from a naval combat perspective. This session will explore each battle through unique personal and naval themes.

 

January 2025: Capturing Ships

• The vast majority of USS Constitution’s 33 captures were smugglers and privateers. Seizing ships earned prize money, but it had to be legal. What did it mean for prisoners in the aftermath of battle? What was the impact of this on USS Constitution’s other career duties in the 19th century?

 

February 2025: Joining the Navy, Objects of Command and Enlisted Sailors

• Joining the Navy in 1812 was a very different experience from today. We’ll look at the recruiting process, who served, and why they joined. 
• Captains and officers lived in a more comfortable world than the sailors they commanded. Close observation of artifacts from the collection will build an understanding of the hierarchy at the time.

 

March 2025: The Great Chase and Boston Blockaded

• Despite its victories, USS Constitution was forced to flee overwhelming odds more than once, and was blockaded by the British for nearly a year. This session will dive more deeply into these moments in the Ship’s history.

 

April 2025: Messing and Food, Medicine

• What did the 1812 crew eat? Where did all that food come from?
• The Ship’s surgeon was in charge of fixing injuries in battle as well as curing illness every day. We will examine medical tools, objects, and journals to understand how sailors were treated for illness (or more severe injuries) in the days before antibiotics.

 

May 2025: Saving the Ship, 20th Century Duties

• A closer look at the civilians who convinced the Navy and government (time and time again) to keep the Ship afloat.
• What roles does a 19th century vessel serve in the 20th century?