Photo by Greg Cooper
USS Constitution’s past comes to life through objects, stories, and hands-on experiences with a visit to the USS Constitution Museum! From self-guided exploration in our award-winning exhibits to fun interdisciplinary programs with our talented staff, there is something for every type of group to discover.
To celebrate National Poetry Month, the Museum is offering a program for elementary and middle school groups. Students will work in teams to uncover the stories of USS Constitution and her 1812 crew using artworks, exhibits, artifacts, and historical thinking skills. Each student will then write a poem about an 1812 crew member using what they’ve learned, and read it aloud at a relevant place aboard ship. Writing about the Captain? Let’s head to the Captain’s Cabin! Sharing the surgeon’s story? Let’s go to Sickbay!
Grades 3-8│ Max 30 people │ 2 hours│ $8 per student│Required Chaperone Ratio 1:6│Additional Chaperones $8
Looking for complementary classroom activities?
Don’t just learn about history, experience it! Your group can independently explore 2 floors of interactive, hands-on exhibits or shop for something special to take home in the Museum Store. This does not include access to USS Constitution.
Advance reservations for self-guided group visits are only required for grant-funded groups.
All Ages │ 10-50 people │ 60 minutes recommended│ Suggested Donation $50-$75 │Required Chaperone Ratio 1:10
Engage your group in a 30-minute program with a skilled educator followed by 30 minutes self-guided exploration in our award-winning, hands-on exhibits. It’s a great way to enhance a self-guided visit. 4 different themes available.
All Ages │ 10-50 people │ 60 minutes│ $100 │Required Chaperone Ratio 1:10
A Sailor’s Life for Me?: Discover details about life at sea aboard USS Constitution in the early years of the US Navy – the good and the bad. At the end of the program, ask yourself, “Is a sailor’s life for me?”
Constructing “Old Ironsides”: USS Constitution earned the nickname “Old Ironsides” during the War of 1812, but do you know what gives her that incredible strength? Find out how a unique design, American materials, and hundreds of craftsmen built a national symbol.
Invention Factory: Running a Ship like USS Constitution is hard work. Design and build a prototype to help sailors roll their hammocks or scrub the decks. Are you up for the challenge?
Unfurl the Past: Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a history detective? Use primary source paintings to uncover the story of Constitution’s greatest battle where she earned her nickname “Old Ironsides” and became a national symbol.
How did sailors make it through battle? Courage, of course! With an educator’s guidance, be introduced to the adventurous life of a sailor and the tight-knit community. Listen to a story, explore the galleries in small teams and decorate a neckerchief with symbols of your own community identity.
Preschool-Grade 2 │ 10-30 people│ 60 minutes│ $6 per student │ Required Chaperone Ratio 1:6 │ Additional Adults $6
Adult chaperones are asked to assist and participate in program activities.
Come see simple machines in action! With an educator’s guidance, scour the galleries to find simple machines at work and then design and build a prototype to help the crew roll a hammock or scrub the decks. Can you simplify the life of a 19th-century sailor using only the lever, inclined plane, screw, wedge, pulley, and wheel & axle?
Grades 3-5│10-30 people│90 minutes│$8 per student│Required Chaperone Ratio 1:6 │Additional Adults $8
Adult chaperones are asked to assist and participate in program activities.
Become a history detective and storyteller! Historians uncover stories of the past by examining artifacts and making connections which are then shared with the community in museums, books and online. Can your class work together to uncover the story of USS Constitution’s most famous battle? Do you have the historical thinking skills to piece together the stories of USS Constitution’s crew and share them with your peers? Great for ELA Grade 4 Poetry!
Grades 3-5 │ 10-30 people │ 90 minutes │ $8 per student │Required Chaperone Ratio 1:6 │Additional Adults $8
Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
USS Constitution was built for speed and strength by a young nation with a limited budget. Her unique design and American materials have helped to make her a national symbol. Are you up to the challenge of designing and constructing the fastest and strongest ship using household resources and within a set time and budgetary constraints?
Grades 5-8 │ 10-30 people │ 90 minutes │ $8 per student │Required Chaperone Ratio 1:6│Additional Adults $8
Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
What was life like aboard USS Constitution in 1812? Take on the role of a crew member and with your team complete a series of challenges faced by sailors. Do you have what it takes to endure life at sea as a captain or ordinary shipman, through daily life and battle?
Grades 5-8 │ 10-30 people│ 90 minutes │ $8 per student │Required Chaperone Ratio 1:6 │Additional Adults $8
Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Using the MCAS Engineering Design Process, students explore the design, construction and launch of USS Constitution in the 1790s before designing and building their own ship for speed, strength, or both, using household resources. Are you up to the challenge?
Great for High School Engineering classes! When booking, ask about extending this program onto the ship, USS Constitution.
Grades 9-12 │ 10-30 people │ 1.5-2 hours │ $8 per student │Required Chaperone Ratio 1:10│Additional Adults $8
Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Should the young United States have declared war in 1812? Use primary sources to look critically at the tensions leading up to the war and consider the opposing perspectives and opinions. In teams, assume the role of a congressman or resident to defend or challenge the idea that the nation should declare war.
Grades 8-12 │ 10-30 people│ 90 minutes│ $8 per student│Required Chaperone Ratio 1:10 │Additional Adults $8
Adult chaperones are asked to assist with and participate in program activities.
Not seeing what you are looking for? Contact our Group Reservations Coordinator at 617-426-1812 x186 or at groupreservations@ussconstitutionmuseum.org to customize an experience to meet your group’s needs.
We love to hear from you and so do our funders! Share with us your photos, comments, letters, and post-visit activities via post, email or on social media. Email teachered@usscm.org and send to Group Reservations, USS Constitution Museum, PO Box 291812, Boston, MA 02129.
The Charlestown Navy Yard has a designated turnaround area located on Constitution Road for bus drop-off. Afterwards, The Boston Autoport (100 Terminal Street) in Charlestown is available for short-term motor coach and school bus parking. The cost is $10.00 for school buses and $20.00 for coach buses. The Boston Autoport is a privately owned and operated facility is not affiliated with the USS Constitution Museum.
DECCA, a restaurant located in the Charlestown Navy Yard, is now offering boxed lunches for adult and student groups.
Please note that the Charlestown Navy Yard does not have any indoor facilities or sheltered outdoor spaces for groups to eat lunch, but there are plenty of green spaces to enjoy a picnic-style lunch.
The Museum is proud to offer the following funding opportunities to visiting groups. Please ask at the time of reservation, if you believe your group qualifies.
The USS Constitution Museum is excited to announce a partnership with Liberty Mutual Insurance that offers fully subsidized programs and transportation for all Boston school and out-of-school enrichment programs in its new, state-of-the art education center. Available through December 2019.
Cambridge Savings Bank Neighborhood Schools – Free Visit & Transportation AssistanceCambridge Savings Bank Neighborhood Schools can reserve any facilitated program free-of-charge and receive up to $100 bus reimbursement. All schools in the following neighborhoods are eligible: Acton, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Brookline, Burlington, Cambridge, Chelsea, Concord, Everett, Lexington, Lincoln, Medford, Newton, Somerville, Waltham, Watertown, Winchester and Woburn.
Schools are responsible for researching and applying for the following programs.
The Big Yellow School Bus program provides grants to help Massachusetts’ schools meet the transportation costs of educational field trips. Applications are reviewed on a “first-received, first-funded” basis for as long as the funds last. Applications are available online at www.massculturalcouncil.org.
The Target Foundation provides grants, up to $700, to offset the cost of educational field trips. K-12 schools are eligible to apply between August 1st and September 30th. Find out more information at https://corporate.target.com/corporate-responsibility/grants/field-trip-grants
After the Visit
Our funders would love to hear from you! If you receive funding for a visit to the Museum, please consider having your class write thank-you letters to the organization that made your trip possible. Letters should be sent to the USS Constitution Museum, P.O. Box 291812, Boston, MA 02129 and we will forward them appropriately.
Photos by Greg Cooper.
USS CONSTITUTION MUSEUM | Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22, Charlestown, MA 02129 | 6174261812
