2021 Highlights

2021 Facts & Figures

Videos Created
0
New Accessions
to the Collection
0
Research inquiries
answered
0
Educational Programs
delivered
0
School children
reached
0

Social Media Performance

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube

Impressions
0
Engagements
0
Post link clicks
0
Reach on LEGO® posts
0

“They loved it all. One student said it was the best virtual trip we attended this year… Really was well put together and age appropriate.”

 (Virtual program participant from Boston Public Schools)

Annual Report 2021  |  © 2022 USS Constitution Museum

Charity Navigator 4 Stars

February 1, 2021

Charity Navigator announced that the Museum received a 4-star rating for the 9th consecutive year. According to the award letter, the “4-star rating verifies that USS Constitution Museum exceeds industry standards and outperforms most charities in your area of work. Only 6% of the charities we evaluate have received at least 8 consecutive 4-star evaluations, indicating that USS Constitution Museum outperforms most other charities in America.”

LEGO® Maritime Festival

February 13-21, 2021

During February school vacation week, the Museum hosted its popular annual LEGO® Maritime Festival as a virtual event. The festival included a combination of live programs and at-home activities that families could complete at any point during the week. The live programs included a virtual tour of Constitution using the LEGO® model as a guide, a challenge build, and the opportunity to meet a LEGO® Master Model Builder from the LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Boston. The “Meet a LEGO® Master Model Builder” program had over 500 registrants and nearly 300 participants and the challenge build program was sold out.

Sweet Connections – Strong Collections Open House

February 18, 2021

The Museum held its Sweet Connections-Strong Collections virtual collections open house in February. Hosted by Anne Grimes Rand, the event featured a series of video segments to welcome exciting new Museum acquisitions, including portraits of Captain John and Mrs. Caroline S. Lynch Gwinn and the James Sever Collection of early Navy documents. Following the formal program, guests had the opportunity to speak with the Curatorial Department staff in breakout rooms. The event raised over $16,000 for the Museum’s Commodores Fund, which supports the acquisition of new objects for the collection.

The Colonel Drew Ley Fund Launches with A Conversation on Leadership with Gen. James Mattis

February 23, 2021

The Museum hosted A Conversation on Leadership with General James Mattis, USMC (Ret.), the 26th Secretary of Defense. General Joseph Dunford, USMC (Ret.), the 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,  joined the event to introduce General Mattis. During the virtual event, Gen. Mattis inspired over 600 attendees from around the country with a talk and Q&A session focused on principled leadership and service to the nation. This was the inaugural event supported by the Colonel Drew Ley Fund, established in memory of Life Trustee Drew Ley after he passed away last October. The Fund supports future Lt. William S. Bush Memorial Breakfasts and Lectures and other Marine Corps activities at the Museum.  The event raised over $110,000 and fully endowed the Colonel Drew Ley Fund.

Rad Women of USS Constitution

March 31, 2021

The Museum concluded its celebration of Women’s History Month with a special panel discussion featuring four women currently serving aboard “Old Ironsides” and moderated by former USS Constitution Command Master Chief Nancy Estrada, USN (Ret.). The panelists included: LT Sasha Lowry, Constitution’s Operations Officer and the third female officer to serve in the ship’s history; CMDCS Angela Collins, Constitution’s Command Senior Chief and the third female senior enlisted leader to serve in the ship’s history; PR2 Kimberly Watson, Constitution’s Facilities Assistant Leading Petty Officer within the Deck Department; and SN Melanie “Santos” Santosrangel, who joined Constitution directly from bootcamp in Great Lakes, Illinois.

Virtual Educational Programs

April 2021

The Education Department continued to offer virtual programming to groups in Greater Boston, Massachusetts, and across the country. In April, the Museum offered a series of three virtual programs for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts and a program for a national homeschool organization called Traveling Homeschoolers.

A Voyage Through History Launches

April 2021

The video series A Voyage Through History, narrated by Public Historian Carl Herzog and illustrated with artifacts and documents from the Museum’s collection, uses Constitution’s centuries of service as a lens for exploring the broader panorama of American maritime history for a wide audience. Watch these videos are more at usscm.org/video.

45th Birthday & Reopening

April 8, 2021

The USS Constitution Museum celebrated its 45th birthday on April 8 by reopening to the public. With the support of USS Constitution’s Commanding Officer and Crew, the Museum hosted a virtual ceremony on Facebook Live to celebrate the Museum’s reopening and the anniversary of Rear Admiral Samuel Eliot Morison cutting the rope to open the Museum in 1976. The Facebook Live event began with President & CEO Anne Grimes Rand firing Constitution’s saluting battery for morning colors. A conversation between Anne and CDR John Benda followed as they walked to the Museum’s front steps where they cut a ribbon to reopen the Museum. The Facebook Live event on USS Constitution’s Facebook page has been viewed more than 10,000 times.

Soar into Spring: April School Vacation Week

April 17-25, 2021

The theme for 2021’s April school vacation week activities was “Soar into Spring,” with eagle-related content. The Museum offered a mix of on-site and virtual programming that also tied into the National Parks of Boston’s story walk activity about bird watching. In addition to touring the Museum, visitors were able to participate in a scavenger hunt for a collection of stern eagles painted in various disguises.

Sailors Speak: National Endowment for the Humanities Grant

May 2021

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) awarded the Museum a grant through its Dialogues on the Experience of War program. With support from NEH, the Museum will launch a new program called Sailors Speak: The Impact of War on Naval Veterans, their Families, and the Country. The program will build on the primary source resources and networks of the Museum to explore naval heritage in the War of 1812 and contemporary military service in the Global War on Terrorism through an interdisciplinary, humanities-rich discussion program with veterans and their adult family members.

USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Winner

May 21, 2021

USA Today released the results of its 10Best Readers’ Choice competition and the USS Constitution Museum ranked #5 in the category of “Best History Museum.” In a highly competitive category of top museums from around the United States, online votes determined the winners from a group of twenty initial nominees. The Museum was the sole nominee and winner in this category from New England. President Anne Grimes Rand announced the award via USS Constitution’s Facebook Live stream aboard USS Constitution during its first underway since COVID, which also served as the Ship’s official reopening for public visitation.

At the Helm: Captains of Constitution Panel

May 27, 2021

The Museum hosted a virtual panel discussion with former Commanding Officers of USS Constitution as part of the Salute to Service initiative. Moderated by current Commanding Officer, CDR John Benda, the panelists included CDR Michael Beck, USN (Ret.), 64th in Command (1995-1997); CAPT Timothy M. Cooper, 71st in Command (2009-2011); and CAPT Matthew J. Bonner, USN (Ret.), 72nd in Command (2011-2013). Some of the topics discussed during the program included the rewards and challenges of serving as Constitution’s Commanding Officer, leadership styles, and favorite moments on board “Old Ironsides.” Almost 75 people viewed the live program on Zoom and the Facebook Live video has been viewed over 1,000 times.

Join the Crew Virtual Exhibit

June 2021

The Museum launched its new Join the Crew online exhibit, a virtual version of the on-site All Hands on Deck exhibit, with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) CARES Act grant. Created by the Curatorial and Exhibits Departments, Join the Crew leverages the award-winning first-person text and imagery created for All Hands on Deck and includes over 30 new videos that feature historic navigational instruments, personal artifacts, 3D animations, family craft activities, and interviews with today’s crew. You can visit the exhibit at usscm.org/jointhecrew.

Youth Programs

July 2021

The Education Department began welcoming in-person groups, including Young Marines and Sea Cadet groups. During these visits, staff piloted new programs that focuse on 1812 Marines and midshipmen.

Miniboats Rescued in Newfoundland

July 2021

The Museum’s two miniboats, made by 4th grade Boston Public School students, made landfall in remote parts of southern Newfoundland in July after about 3 months at sea. Through widely-shared social media posts and extensive media coverage in Canada, word of the boats’ remote locations got to local couples who generously retrieved the boats and brought them to the local elementary schools. Follow the journey at usscm.org/miniboats.

Independence Day

July 4, 2021

The first in-person Independence Day celebration in the Charlestown Navy Yard since 2019 included Museum visits and USS Constitution underway in Boston Harbor.

Maintaining America’s Advantage at Sea with RADM Shoshana Chatfield

July 8, 2021

The Museum hosted its first hybrid event when it welcomed RADM Shoshana Chatfield, President of the Naval War College and a career Navy helicopter pilot. The event began with RADM Chatfield firing the saluting battery on “Old Ironsides” for morning colors. In the virtual program, she discussed the importance of maintaining a strong Navy and America’s advantage at sea. The Museum welcomed about 20 invited in-person guests and hosted about 20 live viewers on Zoom. The Facebook Live video has been viewed nearly 600 times.

Boston Parents Paper Family Favorite

July 15, 2021

For the 4th year in a row, Boston Parents Paper readers named the USS Constitution Museum a Family Favorite in the “Historic Sites & Tours” category. The Museum is honored to receive this recognition in a field with so many other dynamic sites and tours, including Fenway Park, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Plimoth Patuxet Museums, and Old Sturbridge Village.

Coast Guard Day at Joint Base Cape Cod

August 4, 2021

As part of the Salute to Service initiative, Education Department staff Emily Bryant and Sarah Dunbar participated in festivities celebrating the Coast Guard’s birthday at the invitation of U.S. Coast Guard Base Cape Cod’s Morale, Well-Being and Recreation (MWR) Division. This annual event welcomes over 500 people and was an opportunity for Museum staff to engage with Coast Guard families. Sarah and Emily shared the Museum’s Built to Win program and over 40 people designed, built, and raced tin foil boats.

Operation Gratitude Partnership: Thank you to Vietnam Veterans

August 4, 2021

In partnership with Operation Gratitude, visitors wrote thank-you notes to Vietnam War veterans and packaged them with life-saving paracord bracelets. These notes and bracelets were distributed to the Vietnam War veterans on board for Constitution’s August 20th underway.

Virtual Programs for Military Families

August 2021

The Education Department offered three virtual programs to military families and youth through the Boys & Girls Club of Central Minnesota and Minnesota National Guard. This opportunity came about from a partnership with the National Boys & Girls Club Military Services team and we hope to provide more virtual programs for clubs across the country that serve military families.

20th Anniversary of September 11

September 11, 2021

The Museum was pleased to partner with Operation Gratitude to offer two volunteer opportunities as part of the National Day of Service and Remembrance. Nearly 75 volunteers packed 1,000 care packages at the Museum for graduates from the U.S. Navy Recruit Training Command (bootcamp) in Great Lakes, Illinois, and U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Cape May in New Jersey. Outside the Museum, visitors and volunteers wrote nearly 800 thank-you notes to Vietnam War veterans and packaged them with paracord bracelets. The Museum was pleased to welcome Operation Gratitude’s new Chief Executive Officer, Maj. Gen. James Johnson, USAF (Ret.), to participate in the 9/11 commemoration ceremony in the Charlestown Navy Yard and join the Museum as a guest on Constitution’s underway.

Salute to Heroes Soccer Game

September 11, 2021

Education Department staff traveled to Gillette Stadium on September 11 to participate in the USO’s military outreach event in the “fan-activation area” during the New England Revolution’s Salute to Heroes soccer game. For three hours prior to the game, Emily Bryant, Susan Dunbar, and Shannon Skilling engaged with hundreds of kids and families who lined up to fire Alka-Seltzer cannons as part of the Museum’s Ready, Aim, Fire activity. Many families came back repeatedly to fire the “cannon” again and try to beat their previous score or hit the target.

Miniboats’ Adventure Continues

Late September 2021

Education Department staff Emily Bryant and Sarah Dunbar traveled to schools in Newfoundland, Canada, to open the miniboats and present educational programs on USS Constitution. High-school students in Harbour Breton are repairing HK Pride as part of their woodworking class, and Teal Turtle’s rescuer, Gilbert Melbourne, is repairing that boat on his own. After both miniboats are repaired, the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans will coordinate a relaunch and their voyages will continue. While in Newfoundland, Emily and Sarah also met with the couples who rescued the boats and presented them with gifts from the Museum. Follow the journey at usscm.org/miniboats.

U.S. Navy Birthday Celebration

October 13, 2021

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith visited Constitution to celebrate the United States Navy’s 246th birthday. SecNav Del Toro fired the saluting battery for morning colors, toured the Ship, and delivered a special birthday message from the spar deck that was shared on Good Morning America and via Facebook Live.

Harvest Happenings

October 16, 2021

In partnership with the USO, the Museum hosted Harvest Happenings in October for military families. Approximately 300 guests enjoyed crafts and activities in the Museum and trick-or-treating on the Ship. The Museum also hosted a Trick, Treat, or Trivia activity with trivia questions about the daily life of sailors.

Salute to Service: An Evening Honoring General Joseph Dunford, USMC (Ret.)

October 19, 2021

During a two-part hybrid Salute to Service Gala this fall, the Museum honored retired Marine Corps General and 19th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Joseph Dunford, with the Charles Francis Adams Award, and Trustee Dennis Langwell with the “Old Ironsides” Exemplary Service Award. On September 30, the Museum hosted a reception on the pier beside “Old Ironsides” followed by an award presentation on the Ship’s Spar Deck after evening colors. On October 19, the Museum hosted a virtual event featuring a recorded interview with General Dunford onboard Constitution, the award presentation to Dennis Langwell, the traditional “Bainbridge Toast” by Westy Saltonstall, and joint remarks by Board of Trustees Chair Paul George and Museum President & CEO Anne Grimes Rand. The Salute to Service Gala was a tremendous success thanks to the many sponsors and donors who contributed over $350,000 to support the event, plus a $10,000 contribution to the Colonel Drew Ley Fund in honor of General Dunford!

CPO Heritage Weeks

Late October 2021

Two Chief Petty Officer Heritage Training Weeks returned aboard Constitution this year after being cancelled during the pandemic. Each week, Constitution welcomed about 150 CPO Selectees and their mentors for heritage training that included a guided tour of the Museum by members of the crew. At the end of each week, the selectees set the fore and mizzen topsails while underway in Boston Harbor. During the second training, the Museum conducted an oral history interview with CTTC Jacob Wallace, a CPO mentor who served aboard Constitution (2009-2011) and had the opportunity to return as a CPO Selectee in 2017.

Veterans Day

November 11, 2021

The Museum welcomed 130 veterans, active-duty military, and their families on Veterans Day. Each veteran guest received a branch-specific pin recognizing their service and a thank-you note written by a Museum visitor. Museum staff and volunteers engaged veterans and their families with gallery programs throughout the day. Twenty veterans and their guests, including friends of the Museum and former crew members, joined the Museum for a behind-the-scenes tour of USS Constitution. These veterans travelled from near (Charlestown) and far (Colorado) to join the tour. Many expressed their gratitude for the experience and the gift of a flag flown aboard “Old Ironsides.”

New Miniboats Exhibit

December 2021

The Museum installed a new exhibit highlighting the Museum’s two miniboats, Teal Turtle and HK Pride. A touchscreen provides a timeline of the two miniboats from their construction by students at the Harvard Kent Elementary School and ceremonial launch beside Constitution, to their voyage in the Atlantic and eventually running aground in Newfoundland. It also provides details and video of their rescue by residents and the trip by Education Department staff to Nova Scotia to visit with local school children. Visitors can also trace the two miniboats’ journey in the Gulf Stream.

Researching “Old Ironsides”

December 2021

With grant funding from Mass Humanities, Public Historian Carl Herzog began a research project to shed light on the role of the enslaved people who harvested live oak timber for USS Constitution’s construction in the 1790s. In December, Carl visited the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to view the Richard Leake business papers, and the New York Historical Society to view the John Barry collection of correspondence and papers. Information in these papers provides context to the intertwined history of slavery in the early United States and the creation of the U.S. Navy.

December School Vacation Week

December 24–31, 2021

The Museum welcomed about 4,000 visitors during winter school vacation week. The Museum offered a variety of activities, including the eagle scavenger hunt, the “Mutinous Expedition” quest, and the opportunity to make paper captain’s hats. On December 31, in partnership with Play-Well TEKnologies, the Museum hosted a three-hour, maritime-themed LEGO® build workshop. During the workshop, participants applied STEM fundamentals in physics and engineering to the maritime builds.

Pearl Harbor Commemoration

December 7, 2019

The Museum partnered with the National Parks of Boston and the City of Boston’s Department of Veterans Services for the annual Pearl Harbor attack commemoration ceremony.  Museum President Anne Grimes Rand, Superintendent Michael Creasey, and David Wu from the City of Boston Veteran’s Services department offered welcoming remarks. Museum Life Trustee, best-selling author, and historian William Martin served as the guest speaker, sharing reflections from visits to Pearl Harbor and the experience of visiting the memorials that remain in the harbor today. Following the program at the Museum, guests processed to USS Cassin Young, led by Constitution’s color guard, for brief remarks, a wreath laying, 21-gun salute, and the playing of Taps.