War of 1812 Bicentennial Activities

USS Constitution Museum Old Ironsides 1812 Discovery Center Exhibit Opening & Flag Day Spectacular

Travel back in time and fight for free trade and sailors' rights on the high seas! Join the USS Constitution Museum and Keith Lockhart, Boston Pops conductor, for a ribbon cutting to open the NEW exhibit, Old Ironsides 1812 Discovery Center, offering hands-on interactive exhibits and programs.

• 12 - 12:30 - Flag Day Spectacular -- Three 90 x 45 foot flags representing the US, UK and Canada, which serve as a symbol of the 200 years of peace between the nations, will stretch across the Navy Yard 270 feet long! All sorts of bands and color guards will be there.


• 12:30 -- Ribbon cutting of the Old Ironsides 1812 Discovery Center with Keith Lockhart.


• 1:30 - 2 -- The illustrator of the new book, The Flag We Love, will be at the USS Constitution Museum Shop signing copies of the book


• Also in the Navy Yard, near by, will be a Food Truck Festival.

JUNE 28 - JULY 5

• JUNE 29 - Sunset Parade to include US Navy Marching Band, Middlesex 4H Fife and Drum Corps, Boston Police Gaelic Column, and the Silver Dolphins. (6:45 pm)


• JUNE 30 - USCGC Eagle arrival ceremony at 10 am, weather permitting. USCG Eagle open for public tours (1- 6 pm). USCG Search and Rescue Demonstration at 1:30 pm in the waters between the Navy Yard and Puopolo Park. USS Cassin Young: "Navy Day: Bring the Ship Alive," featuring drills, signal flag demonstrations, antique military vehicles, and more!


• JULY 1 - USCGC Eagle open for public tours (10 am - 5 pm). USCG Search and Rescue Demonstration at 1:30 pm in the waters between the Navy Yard and Puopolo Park. A USCG helicopter and small boat perform a mock rescue.


• JULY 2 - USCGC Eagl open for public tours (10 am - 7 pm). USCG Silent Drill Team performance (3:30pm). USCG Band Concert (Pier 1, 4pm)


• JULY 3 - USCG Eagle open for public tours (10 am - 5pm). USCG Historic Ship's Company dressed in 1812 period uniform perform gun and weapon drills and speak about life aboard an 1812 Revenue Cutter (all day).


• JULY 4 - USS Constitution and USCGC Eagle get underway for annual turnaround cruise to Castle Island; Blue Angels and other military aircraft flyover, USS Constitution Museum-Narrated Harbor Cruise (morning). USS Constitution returns for public tours from late afternoon until 6 pm. USCG Historic Ship's Company dressed in 1812 period uniform perform gun and weapon drills and speak about life aboard an 1812 Revenue Cutter (2-6 pm).

  ALL WEEK LONG:USS Constitution Museum's NEW Old Ironsides 1812 Discovery Center (9am- 6pm)

• Family fun Seabag discovery kits for families to check out at the Navy Yard Visitor Center and at the USS Constitution Museum USS Constitution War of 1812 - era gun-drills (12pm, 2pm, 4pm) Public tours from of USS Constitution (10 am - 6 pm excluding during the underway on July 4th)


• Public tours of USS Cassin Young (9am - 6pm) Meet and mingle with the Commandant's wife and 1812 sailors (interpreters) at the Commandant's House (10am - 4 pm)


• Video presentations about the history of the Charlestown Navy Yard (Visitor Center - Building 5)


• United States Coast Guard Presentation, "Cementing the Core Missions: Revenue Cutter Operations in the War of 1812" offered at 11 am and 3 pm in the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center Theater (Building 5)<.li>
  
• "History on Wheels," NPS rangers manning pushcarts throughout the Yard help visitors learn how to repair a ship, discover children's games and toys, and explore the age of sail and steam. "Stories with Rangers," Park Service Rangers read share stories and provide hands-on activities for families to explore the many activities of a working Navy Yard. Visitors will find fun character cut outs throughout the yard, each with introductions and QR codes to learn more. Many new outdoor exhibition panels will illuminate "Life and Work in the Navy Yard in 1812."


• A series of colorful, interpretive banners will guide visitors across the Charles River bridge and into the Charlestown Navy Yard to usher in the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the War of 1812.

JULY 4

Museum-Narrated Harbor Cruise in partnership with Boston Harbor Cruises
10:00 am - 1:30 pm

Follow USS Constitution's turnaround cruise while learning about the visiting international naval and tall ships in Boston Harbor. See Constitution fire a 21-gun salute and get an up-close view of the patriotic aerial display led by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. Tickets available through Boston Harbor Cruises ( www.bostonharborcruises.com)

AUGUST 17

Constitution vs. Guerriere: What Really Happened? Commander Tyrone G. Martin, US Navy (Ret.) 12:00 Noon USS Constitution Museum - Lecture Series - Commander Martin, former Commanding Officer of USS Constitution, will share the story of Constitution's battle with HMS Guerriere, during which she earned her nickname, "Old Ironsides."

AUGUST 18 - 19

US Postal Service War of 1812 Stamp Unveiling & 1812 Marine Encampment
10 am In collaboration with the United States Postal Service, the Navy Yard partners will unveil a War of 1812 Commemorative Forever® stamp in the Charlestown Navy Yard featuring USS Constitution on August 18th. Representatives from USPS, Boston National Historical Park, Naval History & Heritage Command Detachment Boston, USS Constitution, and the USS Constitution Museum will be on hand at the official dedication beginning at 10 am. First day issue stamps, stamp caches, and special cancellations will be available for purchase after the ceremony. The original painting used for the design of the stamp will be on exhibit at the USS Constitution Museum. "Constitution," by Michele Felice Cornè, c.1803. is courtesy of Navy Art Collection, Naval History and Heritage Command and is the oldest known image of USS Constitution. The 1812 marines in period uniforms overtake the yard! Over 80 marines are setting up camp for the weekend to demonstrate just what life was like in 1812. Re-enactors in civilian clothing will also be on hand to meet the public.

ALL DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.