Charlestown Navy Yard / USS Constitution

The Charlestown Navy Yard is one of the oldest shipbuilding sites in the United States and sits on hallowed ground in the history of the US freedom.

Boston was always an important seaport and vital to the colonial and republican economy. The entire coastline around Charlestown was a hub of mercantile activity. Directly across from the current Ship Yard, and now home to a US Coast Guard station, was Hartt's Shipyard, where the USS Constitution was constructed in 1797. Next to Hartt's is where Paul Revere set off on his "Midnight Ride" on April 18, 1775. Revere actually started off by boat, crossing the Harbor and landing in Charlestown before continuing on by horse.

Just two months after Revere's ride and the ensuing Battles of Lexington and Concord, a force of 3,000 British Regulars landed at Charlestown. Their mission was to dislodge about 1,200 colonial militia who had assembled and fortified their positions on the hills overlooking Boston Harbor - Bunker Hill and Breed's Hill.

Shipbuilding in Charlestown began in 1800 when the federal government ordered the construction of warships to protect American merchant ships from piracy. Shipbuilding coincided with overhauls and repair work and Charlestown became the site of the first dry dock in the US in 1833. The USS Constitution was a frequent guest for refits and repairs.

After the Civil War the demand for new ships slowed until steam technology prompted the expansion and replacement of much of the world's navies. Charlestown continued to be known for recommissioning. The last new ship was completed in 1955. A sister site was built in 1920 on the other side of the Harbor in South Boston, which was home to the largest dry dock in the US (Dry Dock 3). By the end of the Vietnam War it was clear that a smaller Navy was on the horizon. The Navy Yard closed in 1974 and ownership was transferred to the National Park Service.

Today the Ship Yard is the permanent home to the USS Constitution and the USS Cassin Young destroyer museum. While the Constitution is a popular tourist attraction and museum, it's served by the US Navy, and is the oldest commissioned warship still afloat in the world.