April 02, 2021
USS Constitution Museum Reopens to Public on 45th Anniversary
CHARLESTOWN, MA (April 2, 2021)—The USS Constitution Museum will reopen to the public on Thursday, April 8, at 10:00 a.m., the 45th anniversary of its opening in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Following that date, the Museum will be open Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Anne Grimes Rand, USS Constitution Museum President & CEO, will be there with a wide smile under her mask to greet visitors on this historic day.
“We are thrilled to welcome visitors back to the USS Constitution Museum on our 45th birthday,” said Rand. “We are committed to safely providing educational and engaging experiences for our guests.”
On April 8, Anne Grimes Rand will commemorate the Museum’s 45th anniversary by firing the morning cannon on “Old Ironsides” at 8:00 a.m. Immediately following that ceremony, USS Constitution’s Commanding Officer John Benda and Rand will share their favorite Museum and Ship memories.
Rand and Commander Benda will head to the Museum for remarks and a ribbon cutting at 8:30 a.m.
The video will be streamed live on the Museum and Ship Facebook pages.
Anne Grimes Rand herself is celebrating a milestone anniversary: 2021 marks her 35th year at the Museum. She has been a guiding force at the Museum during her more than three decades. Rand has navigated a pandemic, recession, government shutdowns, and myriad transformative projects along the way, but the USS Constitution Museum’s longest-serving employee approaches it all with undaunted courage and positivity. “We can and have weathered the storms together, and come out stronger because of it,” explained Rand. “The key is to be respectful, to listen, and to incorporate different perspectives and ideas.”
As the Museum readies for the next chapter in its history, Rand looks forward to sharing historic and contemporary stories of “Old Ironsides” with new armchair sailors. “The USS Constitution Museum shares stories of innovation, teamwork, service and sacrifice, both past and present. We encourage life-long learning and inspire the next generation of citizens and leaders. What could be more exciting than that?”
The Museum will reopen with visitor safety enhancements and policies in accordance with city and state requirements and guidelines.
The USS Constitution Museum has been offering virtual content and will continue to offer digital experiences to visitors at home. This initiative includes robust outreach and engagement, offering videos, blog posts, collection highlights, and more. Every day the Virtual Museum shares dynamic content through its social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and the website usscm.org. The Museum also offers online visitors A Sailor’s Life for Me, an award-winning dynamic game and educator resource that gives people of all ages a chance to step into the shoes of an 1812 sailor.
About the USS Constitution Museum
The USS Constitution Museum serves as the memory and educational voice of USS Constitution by collecting, preserving, and interpreting the stories of “Old Ironsides” and those associated with her. This award-winning non-profit provides an environment where inter-generational groups seeking an enjoyable and educational experience can have fun while learning and exploring history together. The Museum’s mission is to engage all ages in the story of Constitution to spark excitement about maritime heritage, naval service, and the American experience. For more information, visit usscm.org.
