Old Ironsides Afloat Again

Join the National Parks of Boston to celebrate the USS Constitution’s much-anticipated return to the water after two years in dry dock.

4:15 p.m. – Dry Dock 1 begins to flood

9:50 p.m. – Afloat again! USS Constitution lifts off her keel blocks

11:30 p.m. – USS Constitution crosses the dry docks sill and into Boston Harbor

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

In the Yard: 4 – 8 pm Participate in a scavenger hunt and hands-on activities that test your shipbuilding skills. Learn from Maritime Craft Artisans about the work that goes into building and maintaining a ship like Enjoy music and watch a demonstration from the 1812 Marines. Grab a bite to eat at one of the food trucks.

In the Museum: 4 – 8 pm Listen to gallery talks about different milestones in the 2015-2017 restoration. Mark yourself with a temporary tattoo or make a souvenir button with a limited edition image of Constitution in dry dock. Get a front row seat to all the action with Facebook Live video streams at 4, 6, and 8 pm.

In the Yard: 8 pm – midnight Stick around to see Old Ironsides afloat again as she lifts from her keel blocks at approximately 10 pm.

At approximately 11:30 pm Constitution will cross the sill of the dry dock and into the Boston Harbor. Follow along with a live video stream and narration of major events throughout the night.

In the Museum: 8 pm – midnight See all the work that has been accomplished the past 26 months with a video recap and behind the scenes footage of the restoration process. Watch a live video feed of the work from a camera overlooking the dry dock. Participate in your maritime heritage by joining a rousing chorus of sea chanteys. Listen to gallery talks about rigging, the cutwater, souvenirs, planking and copper.