History & Interpretation Training

January 16-March 27, 2018

Thank you for your patience as we update this page for upcoming training period.

Week 1│Week 2│Week 3│Week 4│Week 5│Week 6│Week 7│Week 8│Week 9│Week 10│Week 11│Useful Texts │Archive

Essential Texts

Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution
Charles E. Brodine, Michael J. Crawford, and Christine F. Hughes (Naval Historical Center)

USS Constitution Museum. (2011) Stop Sheets: Spar Deck Forward, Gun Deck Forward, Berth Deck, and Gun Deck Aft

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

USS Constitution Museum Website www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org

USS Constitution Museum Blog https://ussconstitutionmuseum.org/restoration/blog/

January 16, 2018

Week 1: Introduction to USS Constitution as a Window into History

9:15am-11:00am at USS Constitution Museum

Today’s Topics: Introduction to the Course ● The USS Constitution Museum and its Resources: A Visit to the Collection Vault, Archives, and Museum Galleries

Essential Readings:
Engage Families. Retrieved from www.engagefamilies.org
USS Constitution Museum Team. (2013). “Developing All Hands On Deck”, Family Learning Project.

Additional Readings:
Middleton, M. (2014). “Including the 21st Century Family”, The Incluseum.
Simon, N. (2010). “Chapter 2: Participation Begins With Me” in The Participatory Museum.
Simon, N. (2010). “Chapter 4: Social Objects” in The Participatory Museum.

Readings Related to Objects & Crew Members Discussed:
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, July 2). Off with his Head. (Andrew Jackson Figurehead)
USS Constitution Museum. Scrapbooks.
USS Constitution Museum. (2013, February 27). “I regret husband will not be with me”: The Wartime Letters of Abigail Chew (Thomas Chew Letters)
USS Constitution Museum. (2015, March 25). First Photo.
USS Constitution Museum. (2017, February 27). Notes from USS Constitution’s Launch and Other Musings. (Launch Almanack)

January 23, 2018

Week 2: The Revolution, the Navy, and the New Republic

9:15am-10:45am at USS Constitution Museum

Explore Museum Upon Arrival

Todays Topics: Creating Positive Visitor Experiences ● Introduction to the American Revolution and the Cost of Independence ● Formation of the United States Navy● Making Connections to Visitors: USS Constitution as an element of the Freedom Trail

Essential Readings:
Allison, R. (2011). “Important Dates in the American Revolution” and “Preface” in The American Revolution: A Concise History. (pp. ix-viii). New York: Oxford University Press.
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “Re-establishment of the Navy” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 3-4). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
Desy, M. M. “Timeline for the Creation of the Navy”. Naval History and Heritage Command.
Establishing Engagement. (2015). Engage Families.
Hurwitz, Mark. (2014, March 11). “This Old Pew: #11-The Life and Times of Captain Sam Nicholson”, The Old North Church.

Additional Readings:
Allison, R. (2011). “Chapter 1: The Revolution’s Origins” in The American Revolution: A Concise History. (pp. 1-15). New York: Oxford University Press.
Hawkins, B. L. (2016, May 31). “Five Opportunities to Take a House Tour from “Meh” to Great”, American Association for State and Local History.
Quintal Jr, G. (2005). Patriots of Color: African Americans and Native Americans at Bunker Road and Bunker Hill. (pp. 1-6, 25-37, 170-180). Boston, MA: Division of Cultural Resources, Boston National Historical Park.
Taylor, A. (2013). “From the American Revolution to the War of 1812” in The War of 1812: Official National Park Service Handbook. (pp. 16-27). Virginia: Donning Company Publishing.

January 30, 2018

Week 3: Construction

9:15am-10:45am at USS Constitution Museum

Explore Museum Upon Arrival

Today’s Topics: Understanding the Geography: Boston Harbor and the Charles River ● Design, Construction and Launching USS Constitution ● Ship Construction using the Museum’s Collections and Galleries

Essential Readings:
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “The Building of USS Constitution” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 4-7). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
USS Constitution Museum. (2013, Nov. 6). Birch and Oak.
USS Constitution Museum. (2014, Dec. 12). Should her ways have better laid.
USS Constitution Museum. (2015, May 7). History of Dry Dock 1, Charlestown Navy Yard: An Overview.

Additional Readings:
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, May 21). The Engine House.
USS Constitution Museum. (2015, May 28). CONSTITUTION’s Dry Dock.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, June 2). Adams Dry Dock.
USS Constitution Museum. (2015, July 31). Constitution’s launch from a different perspective.
USS Constitution Museum. (2013, Oct. 16). Madeira Mystery.
USS Constitution Museum. (2015, June 24). This Splendid Work of Art.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, June 24). An Open and Shut “Caisson”.

February 2018

Black History Month

Essential Readings:
Brenckle, M., McCormack, L., & Watkins, S. (2012). “Chapter 1: Recruiting a Crew” (pp. 5, 9-10). Boston, MA: USS Constitution Museum.
McCormack, Lauren (2011) ““I never had any better fighters: Black Sailors in the United States Navy During the War of 1812“. USS Constitution Museum.
USS Constitution Museum. (2014, Feb. 21). Freedom by Positive Proof: Two Tales of Sailors in the Old South.
Ordinary Seaman Jesse Williams (2011) USS Constitution Museum.
Boy David Debias (2011) USS Constitution Museum.

Additional Readings:
Bolster, W. Jeffrey. (1998). Black Jacks: African American Seaman in the Age of Sail. Harvard University Press. Please visit the Museum library to access this book.

February 6, 2018

Week 4: The Quasi-War and the Barbary Wars

9:15am-10:45am at USS Constitution Museum

Explore Museum Upon Arrival

Today’s Topics: Foreign Policy and the US Navy ● Background on Barbary Wars and Creation of the Frigates ● Tripoli, USS Philadelphia and the creation of Naval heritage/iconography ● Politics and the Visitor Experience

Essential Readings:
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “The Quasi-War and U.S. Frigate Constitution”, “The Barbary Wars”, and “Edward Preble and Preble’s Boys” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 36-40). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
Crawford, M. J. (2014). “U.S. war with Tripoli and war on Terrorism”, Naval History and Heritage Command.

Additional Readings:
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “Constitution’s Squadron and Special Service” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 72-81). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
Maloney, L. M. (2013). “Chapter 4: Keep Yourself Cool”, “Chapter 5: The Active Captain Hull”, and Chapter 6: The Gunboat Navy” in The Captain from Connecticut: The Life and Naval Times of Isaac Hull. (pp. 64-138). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. (Contact USS Constitution Museum Library)
USS Constitution Museum. (2015, April 30). Carronades for the Tops: A New Interpretation.

February 13, 2018

Week 5: Getting Underway

9:15am-10:45am at USS Constitution Museum

Explore Museum Upon Arrival

Today’s Topics: Introduction to Sails and Rigging ● Maneuvering Under Sail ● Sailing in Battle – USS Constitution vs HMS Guerriere ● Imagining the Sailing Experience for Visitors at the Dock

Essential Readings:
Harland, J. (2016). “Chapter 12: Tacking, Wearing, and Boxhauling” in Seamanship in the Age of Sail: An Account of the Shiphandling of the Sailing Man-of-War 1600-1860, Based on Contemporary Sources. (pp. 181-198). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.
Lavery, B. (2012). “Masts, Sails, and Rigging” in Nelson’s Navy: The Ships, Men, and Organization, 1793- 1815. (pp. 73-79). Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.

Additional Readings:
Naval History & Heritage Command & USS Constitution Museum. (2016, July 29). Suit of Sails.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2016, October 6). Ropemakers for the Navy: Part I.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2016, October 21). Ropemakers for the Navy: Part II.
USS Constitution Museum. (2016, July 19). Canvassing the Navy.

February 21, 2018 (Wednesday)

Week 6: Guns and Armament

9:15am-10:45am at Hull Room, Building 5 AND USS Constitution

Today’s Topics: Introduction to Naval Armament ● Work on the Gun Deck ● Making Battle Accessible for Families and Kids

Essential Readings:
Age Of Sails. (2013, June 6). HMS Victory Broadside!
Borun, M. (2008, Spring). “Why Family Learning in Museums?” in Exhibitionist, 27(1). (pp. 6-9).
Brenckle, M., McCormack, L., & Watkins, S. (2012). “Forging a Fighting Team” and “Testing the Crew in Battle” in Men of Iron: USS Constitution’s War of 1812 Crew. (pp. 33-45). Boston, MA: USS Constitution Museum.
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “Constitution’s Guns” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 7-10). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “Gun Drill in Old Ironsides” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 55-58). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). "Battle Tactics and Strategies" in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 62-65). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “Constitution’s Armament” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 143). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
Desy, M. M. (2016). The Armament of USS Constitution, 18th – 21st Century. Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston.
USS Constitution Museum. (2015, Nov. 12). Constitution’s Guns: A Snapshot.
USS Constitution Museum. (2015, April 30). Carronades for the Tops: A New Interpretation.

Additional Readings:
Llaneza, Michael. (2007, March 26). USS Niagara Live Fire Demonstration.
Marshall, G. (1822). Marshall’s Practical Marine Gunnery: Containing A View Of The Magnitude, Weight, Description & Use, Of Every Article Used In The Sea Gunner’s Department, In The Navy Of The United States. Norfolk, VA: C. Hall.

Presentations:
Margherita Desy, Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment, Boston. (2018)

February 27, 2018

Week 7: The War of 1812

9:15am-10:45am at USS Constitution Museum

Explore Museum Upon Arrival

Today’s Topics: Causes of the War of 1812 ● USS Constitution in the Public Imagination ● The Ship as a Symbol; Reasons for Preservation “Legacy” ● Land and Lake Conflicts

Essential Readings:
Brenckle, M., McCormack, L., & Watkins, S. (2012). “Chapter 5: Returning Home” in Men of Iron: USS Constitution’s War of 1812 Crew. (pp. 46-55). Boston, MA: USS Constitution Museum.
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “War of 1812: The Navy Department”, “War of 1812: Overview of the U.S. Fleet”, “War of 1812: U.S. Naval Operations”, and “War of 1812: The Royal Navy” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 40-50). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
USS Constitution Museum. (2010). War of 1812 Overview.

Additional Readings:
USS Constitution Museum, Internet Archive.
Madison, J. (1812). Message from the President of the U. States Recommending an Immediate Declaration of War Against Great Britain.
Lowell, J. (1812). Mr. Madison’s War.
Anonymous. (1812). The First Book of Remarkable Events of the Present American War.

Presentations:
Margherita Desy, Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment, Boston. (2018)

March 2018

Women’s History Month

Essential Readings:
USS Constitution Museum. (2013, Feb. 27). “I Regret Husband Will Not Be With Me: The Wartime Letters of Abigail Chew”.
USS Constitution Museum. (2016, Aug. 11). “Women Making Waves”.

Additional Readings:

March 6, 2018

Week 8: Living the Sailor’s Life

9:00am-11:00am at USS Constitution Museum AND USS Constitution

Explore Museum Upon Arrival

Today’s Topics: Life on Board and Ashore ● Hammocks – How to get to the reality from the novelty? ● Connecting the Experience: From the Berth Deck to All Hands On Deck.

Essential Readings:
Adkins, R & L. (2009). “At Leisure” in Jack Tar: Life in Nelson’s Navy. (pp. 345-348). Abacus.
Brenckle, M., McCormack, L., & Watkins, S. (2012). "Chapter 1: Recruiting a Crew" and "Chapter 2: Joining a Seafaring Community" in Men of Iron: USS Constitution’s War of 1812 Crew. (pp. 2-32). Boston, MA: USS Constitution Museum.
Brenckle, M., McCormack, L., & Watkins, S. (2012). “Chapter 5: Returning Home” in Men of Iron: USS Constitution’s War of 1812 Crew. (pp. 46-55). Boston, MA: USS Constitution Museum.
Melville, Herman. (1970). “Chapter XX: How They Sleep in a Man-of-War.” In White-Jacket or The World in a Man-of-War, (pp. 79–81). Chicago, IL: Northwestern University Press.
Steel, D. (1980) “A Plan of the Upper Deck of a Seventy-four Gun Ship,.., delineating an Arrangement of the Hammocks for the Crew” in Steel’s Elements and Practice of Rigging and Seamanship, 1794 Edition. New York, NY: Edward Sweetman.
USS Constitution Museum. (2013, Feb. 27). I Regret Husband Will Not Be With Me: The Wartime Letters of Abigail Chew.
USS Constitution Museum Collections: Correspondence (Isaac Hull letters). Digital Commonwealth: Massachusetts Collections Online.

Additional Readings:
USS Constitution Museum. (2013, March 14). Reading at Sea.
USS Constitution Museum (2013, March 22). In The Bag: Sailors and their Sea Bags.

March 13, 2018

***Cancelled Due to Inclement Weather

March 20, 2018

Week 9: The Ship Around the World

9:15am-10:45am at USS Constitution Museum

Explore Museum Upon Arrival

Today’s Topics: World Cruise ● African Squadron ● Annapolis, Newport and the Civil War ● Settling in Boston

Essential Readings:
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “Constitution’s Squadron and Special Service” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 72-81). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
NHHC Detachment Boston & USS Constitution Museum. (2016, Dec. 7). Pearl Harbor and USS Constitution.
USS Constitution Museum. (2013, June 19). Sightings: School’s Out!

Presentations:
Margherita Desy, Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment, Boston. (2018)

March 27,2018

Week 10: The Working Ship Today

9:15am-10:45am at USS Constitution Museum

Explore Museum Upon Arrival

Today’s Topics: Maintaining and Restoring Constitution ● The National Cruise ● Planning a Tour with the New Stop Sheets

Essential Readings:
Desy, M. M. (2014). Overview of USS Constitution’s Re-builds & Restorations. Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston.
USS Constitution Museum. (2018). Stop Sheets. (Will be distributed on the day)

Additional Readings:
Desy, M. M. (2016). Significant Rebuilding/Repair/Restoration Periods. Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, May 07). Maintaining and Restoring an Icon.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, July 22). Restored with Care.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, April 23). Handsomer than She Ever Was.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, July 28). Axes and Adzes.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, October 21). Constitution’s Support System.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, June 9). The Restoration Begins.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, July 16) Tall Trees for America’s Tall Ship.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, September 24). Progress Update: Chipping Away.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, October 8). Walking the Plank.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2016, March 31). Small Jobs with Big Purpose.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, November 5). Raising the Roof.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2015, December 10). Protecting the Cutwater.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2016, June 9). The Cutting Edge.
NHHC Detachment Boston/USS Constitution Museum. (2016, May 26). Progress Update: Year 1 Recap.
USS Constitution Museum. (2016). Constitution Cam.

Presentations:
Margherita Desy, Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment, Boston. (2018)
Jodie Smith, USS Constitution Museum, Boston. (2018)

April 3, 2018

Week 11: Feeding the Crew & 200 Years of Change

9:15am-10:45am at USS Constitution

Today’s Topics: Provisioning and Cooking on Board ● Nutrition in the Age of Sail ● Using 200 Years of Change

Essential Readings:
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “Salt Junk and Ship Bread: Feeding the Men of Constitution” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 16-19). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
Brodine, C. E., Crawford, M. J., & Hughes, C. F. (2007). “Of the Duties of a Cook” and “Regulations to be observed respecting Provisions” in Interpreting Old Ironsides: An Illustrated Guide to USS Constitution. (pp. 126-127). Washington, DC: Naval Historical Center.
Desy, M. M. (2017). USS Constitution: 200 Years of Change: An Illustrated History. Naval History and Heritage Command Detachment Boston.
USS Constitution Museum. (2014 July 16). Some Notes on Navy Biscuit.
USS Constitution Museum. (2013 June 5). Capsizing the Grog Tub: Busting a Favorite Myth.

Additional Readings:
MacDonald, J. (2014). “Chapter 6 “What Other Navies Ate” in Feeding Nelson’s Navy: The True Story of Food at Sea in the Georgian Era. (pp. 140-143). Yorkshire, England: Frontline Books.