Legacy Giving
Become part of the enduring legacy of “Old Ironsides.”
By including the USS Constitution Museum in your estate plans, you can build on the history of impact that began with Constitution’s launch in 1797. There are many ways a planned gift can ensure that the Museum has the resources to share the values of “Old Ironsides” well into the future.
Join the Saltonstall Legacy Society
We hope you will consider including the USS Constitution Museum in your estate plans and encourage you to contact us to discuss giving strategies. We are eager to listen to your advice to help us preserve and promote the values of courage, creativity, and commitment embodied by Constitution. By joining the Saltonstall Legacy Society for naval and maritime heritage, you become part of this tradition.
Benefits of Making an Estate Gift to the USS Constitution Museum
Estate plan gifts through a will, trust, donor-advised fund, or life insurance policy:
• Are an easy way to support the Museum
• May allow you to make contributions that are not otherwise possible
• Can be tailored and made to meet your personal and familial objectives
• May be made through a variety of asset types (cash, securities, personal property, etc.)
• Are deductible for federal tax purposes, with no limit on the amount of the deduction. They are generally not subject to state inheritance or estate taxes
The USS Constitution Museum encourages you to consult your financial and legal professionals to ensure the giving vehicle matches your personal estate plans and philanthropic intent. Please note that the USS Constitution Museum does not prepare wills or trust agreements for donors.
Bequests to the USS Constitution Museum can be given in the form of:
• A specific asset or amount of money
• A percentage of your estate assets
• A residual amount that is left in your estate after other specific bequests have been satisfied
• An amount or percentage of your estate, contingent on the occurrence of an event
• A designation of the USS Constitution Museum as a beneficiary of your life insurance policy
Through your estate plan, you can help preserve and share Constitution’s legacy for future generations.”
Donor Profile
Tom Kershaw
Chairman, The Hampshire House Corporation
When Tom Kershaw first opened the Hampshire House on Beacon Hill in 1969, he knew he wanted to create an inviting space with a local, intimate feel. Remarkable serendipity followed – Tom’s cozy pub in the basement of the Hampshire House was selected as the template for the pub in the long-running TV show, Cheers. And countless visitors have found their way to Beacon Street since.
Originally from Philadelphia, Tom came to Boston as a student at Harvard Business School. He has fortunately stayed and dedicated his career to making Boston a leading destination for visitors, many of whom have enjoyed walking the decks of “Old Ironsides.” “What better symbol of the formation of our new independent country than the USS Constitution that defended our emerging nation in the War of 1812,” says Tom. “To have her in Boston more than 200 years later is simply fabulous.”
Tom first got involved with the USS Constitution Museum in 1991 as an Overseer. He now serves as a Trustee, and with his guidance, the Museum has achieved record-high visitation, hosted international tall ships, and opened award-winning exhibits. As the Museum’s transformative visitor experience plan gets underway this year, he is looking forward to welcoming even more people to the Charlestown Navy Yard.
As a dedicated philanthropist, Tom’s Cheers for Children fund has raised over one million dollars for Boston’s youth since 1980. As part of this initiative, he supports the Museum’s commitment to sharing the City’s maritime heritage with local students. “We have this remarkable historical resource right in our backyard,” explains Tom. “The Museum’s educational programs do vital work in making the past accessible and exciting for young people.”
Inspired by Constitution’s own legacy, Tom has included the Museum in his estate plan. In appreciation for his generosity, the Museum is delighted to recognize Tom as a founding member of the Saltonstall Legacy Society. “As so many visitors can attest, Constitution is an icon of Boston’s patriotic past, and a symbol of its promising future,” says Tom. “After speaking with Museum staff, I was comfortable that my support, and that of other Legacy Society donors, would ensure an exciting future for the Museum.”
