A naval vessel on the open sea is the image of self-sufficiency. But there is an important if largely unseen background to this picture: the naval shipyard. A warship is born and christened at the shipyard and must periodically return for refitting, supplying, and maintenance. In time of war, the shipyard is a refuge for damaged ships needing repair.
Established in 1800, Charlestown Navy Yard served the fleet with distinction--especially proving its worth in each of the nation's wars--until its closing in 1974. The men and women of its workforce built more than 200 warships and maintained and repaired thousands. From its inception the yard was in the forefront of shipyard technology, from building the Navy's only ropewalk to making itself a center of missile and electronics conversions. In its 174-year history, Charlestown Navy Yard played an important role in the birth, growth, and continued effectiveness of the U.S. Navy.
When the Charlestown Navy Yard closed in 1974 after nearly 175 years of serving the fleet, 30 acres became part of Boston National Historical Park. The National Park Service now maintains an important part of the ship yard, and as part of the Park Service's interpretive program, USS Constitution, in connection with the United States Navy, and USS Cassin Young are preserved as representatives of the kinds of vessels built in this yard. Together they represent a 200-year-old tradition of building fine ships for the Navy.
The National Park Service offers a variety of programs and activities in the Navy Yard. Visitors are invited to begin at the Navy Yard Visitor Information Center located on the Freedom Trail near Gate 1 of the Navy Yard. The Information Center is open daily and provides daily program schedules. Visitors may take self-guided or ranger-guided walking tours of the Navy Yard. The ranger-guided walking tour explores the yard's 174 years of history by taking visitors past such sites as the Chain Forge, where die-lock anchor chain was first manufactured; the Ropewalk, a quarter-mile long building designed by famed architect Alexander Parris; and Dry Dock 1, one of the first two dry docks constructed in the nation. This one-mile walking tour lasts 90 minutes. For more information on tour schedules or to make group reservations, please call (617)242-5601.
"Serving the Fleet", an exhibit on the yard's history, is located in the former Paint Shop (Building 125). The exhibit focuses on the workers who built, supplied, and repaired the ships of the United States Navy from 1800 to 1974, and on the many technological processes and innovations involved as the Navy moved from wood and sail to steel and steam. "Serving the Fleet" is open during the summer from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free.
The Charlestown Navy Yard is also host to visiting ships from around the world.
- History of the Charlestown Navy Yard
- Architectural and Technological Highlights
- USS Constitution
- USS Constitution Museum
- USS Cassin Young
Other points of interest in the Charlestown Navy Yard:
The Boston Marine Society: Founded in 1742 to provide relief for distressed mariners and their families, the Society exhibits their collection of model ships, scrimshaw, and art objects from the four corners of the world. Located in building 32, it's open weekdays. Admission is free. Call (617)242-0522 for more information.
New England Historic Seaport: NEHS, longtime cooperator with the National Park Service/Boston National Historical Park, is a division of the not-for-profit Schools for Children, Inc. NEHS operates programs in maritime education for youth and adults through its wooden boat-building center (Boston Boat Shop), its 125-foot sail training schooner (Spirit of Massachusetts), and its alternative high school (Seaport Campus). Call (617)242-1414 for more information.