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ConstitutionChroniclethe newsletter of the uss constitution museum O spring/summer 2009

All Hands on Deck: A Sailor’s Life in 1812The Museum opens an exciting new exhibitSet sail with us on a voyage of discovery! All Hands on Deck is an experience you won’t soon forget! Find yourself in the world of an ordinary sailor on USS Constitution during the War of 1812. The sights…the smells…the sounds—the food…the friendship…the battles! It all comes alive in a whole new way in this innovative exhibit.

All Hands on Deck—a national model for the museum field—represents the culmination of 10 years of research and planning by more than 30 Museum staff members, 35 advisers, and 40 research assistants, volunteers, and interns. It also reflects the input of the more than 2,000 families who tested our prototype elements.

So come join us for an interactive, intergenerational, intriguing experience. Amid the fun, you might even find yourself learning a thing or two! O

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Scuttlebutt

On the cover: Left photo: Visitors to All Hands on Deck work together to furl a sail. Right: “I, William Sharp Bush, grew up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where I tried my hand at the business of farming. After my father died in 1809, I joined the Marine Corps and found my true calling. Now, three years later, I am in charge of Constitution’s Marine guard.” Photos: Greg Cooper. Background photo: Jan Reiss.

USS Constitution MuseumBOARD OF TRUSTEES 2008–2009

James C. Stokes, ChairmanJames B. Hawkes, Vice ChairmanGary P. Kearney, Vice ChairmanWilliam Phipps Rice, Vice ChairmanWilliam H. White, TreasurerPaul F. McDonough, Jr., SecretaryLeon F. Kaufman, Schoolmaster Emeritus

RADM Stanley W. Bryant, USN (Ret.)Philip ChadwickDavid D. CorbettDerek DavisRonald M. EgalkaThe Honorable Paul W. GarberCOL Andrew J. Ley, USMCR (Ret.)Caleb Loring, Jr.Rashaun MartinWilliam K. MartinPatricia L. McGlynnJohn D. MulattieriSuzanne S. ReidMary Beth SandmanStewart Steffey, Jr. Thomas VecchiollaAllison Walk

Chairman’s CouncilG. West Saltonstall, Immediate Past ChairmanCaleb Loring, Jr., Chairman EmeritusSamuel ThorneJohn RoweAlexander Washburn

Life TrusteesGordon Abbott, Jr.Marge M. BensonLee C. CostelloRADM Raymond R. Couture, USNR (Ret.)Herbert DaneJohn K. Dineen, Esq.VADM George W. Emery, USN (Ret.)Harry E. Figgie, Jr.William M. Fowler, Jr.William B. Frothingham, Jr.The Honorable Barry D. HoffmanWilliam C. Kelley, Jr.Sherman (Pat) Morss, Jr.Jeremiah P. Murphy, Jr.Thomas F. NortonFrederick G. PfannenstiehlH. Lewis RapaportHarvey I. SteinbergTimothy L. VaillAlexander WashburnJohn A. Whelan

Constitution ChronicleSPRING/SUMMER 2009Constitution Chronicle is published by the USS Constitution Museum • Box 1812 • Boston, MA 02129 • 617-426-1812 www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org

Burt Logan, PresidentJan Reiss, Editor/DesignerThe USS Constitution Museum receives operating support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Fully accredited by the American Association of Museums Copyright 2009 USS Constitution Museum

This spring the Museum will unveil a story with dual beginnings—one section anchored in the past, the other only recently emerging.

The historic chapter was penned nearly 200 years ago, when thousands of men joined the United States Navy for what would be America’s “Second War for Independence.” Some were native-born citizens; many were not. Some joined from a sense of patrio-tism, others merely sought a steady job, three meals a day, and

shelter. Many were weathered seafarers; others came from the land and were common laborers or left behind trades. Some were responsible only for themselves, while many left wives, children, or parents who depended upon them for support. Between 7 percent and 15 percent were free African Americans.

Regardless of their nationality, motivation, skill, or family background, these largely anonymous sailors toiled together and coalesced into a disciplined crew. What they did together changed the nation, changed them as individuals, and contributed to Americans’ sense of national identity.

The story of these sailors who put the true iron into “Old Ironsides” has lain mostly silent since the early 1800s. The daring exploits of their heroic captains and lieutenants were celebrated at the time and have descended to today. But the ordinary seaman, gunners, Marines, and their shipmates remained in the shadows until now.

Nearly 10 years ago, the Museum embarked on what would become its largest and most far-reaching project ever. The objective was to uncover the stories of Constitution’s crew during the War of 1812. When this effort began, we knew only a handful of crewmembers; today, that number has grown to 1,182 sailors. In some cases, we probably know more about a sailor than did his fellow mates.

At the same time, we have changed the way we develop and present exhibits. The telling of history, so essential to an exhibit, will always remain at the core. But instead of walls of text that can often overwhelm, the new exhibit has been designed to foster discovery, to spark conversations, and to encourage visitors to consider difficult questions.

All Hands on Deck: A Sailor’s Life in 1812 will be a groundbreaking exhibit. It will provide fascinating glimpses into the daily lives of the men who served on board “Old Ironsides”; it will change the way this Museum presents exhibits; and it will be a model for other his-tory museums nationwide.

A disciplined and dedicated crew enabled “Old Ironsides” to succeed. A talented, cre-ative, and hardworking staff, aided by more than 35 consultants and a host of volunteers and interns, has been the key to the success of All Hands on Deck. The historic crew and the contemporary staff have come together to yield an unparalleled exhibit. We are deeply indebted to each one for his or her contributions to our nation and to the telling of a story that is as inspirational today as it was 200 years ago. O

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Calling all hands… Museum Members and Friends

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Join us in celebrating

the grand opening

of our groundbreaking exhibit

All Hands On Deck: A Sailor’s Life in 1812

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Please join us for this very special preview event! Be among

the first to set foot in our newest exhibit, which explores the

lives of Constitution’s crewmembers during the War of 1812

through their words, their challenges, and their experiences.

The completion of this exhibit marks not only 10 years of

detailed research by Museum staff into the identities of nearly

1,200 men who served on “Old Ironsides” during the early

1800s, but also the Museum’s development of a new technique

for delivering this information in a history-museum setting—

one that engages, educates, and inspires visitors of all ages and

backgrounds.

exhibit preview reception Thursday, June 11

6:00–8:00 pm

The event is free, but reservations are required. To reserve

your space, please call 617-426-1812, ext. 167, or e-mail

rsvp@ussconstitutionmuseum.org by June 3. Questions? Call

617-426-1812, ext. 112. We hope to see you there! O

Calendar of events 2009O

July 4 — A Sailor’s Life for Me 10:00 am–3:00 pm Show your patriotic colors at this full day of sailor crafts and fun! Take home a seafaring craft and try your hand at a sailor’s chore. Find fun activities throughout our galleries and in the courtyard. Happy Birthday, America!

August 22 — Victory Day Family Fun11:00 am–4:00 pm We invite you to delve into the story of USS Constitution vs. HMS Guerrière as we remember Constitution’s most famous battle of all! Become a part of the story through interactive dramatic presentations, fun craft activities, and celebrations of the day “Old Ironsides” earned her nickname. Let’s all cheer on Constitution and her crew—Hip, Hip, Huzzah!

September 12 — Family Game Day 11:00 am–4:00 pm A sailor’s life wasn’t all work and no play—come along and see how sailors and their families played and enjoyed each other’s company. We invite you to spend some time together as a family at the Museum and learn how to play 19th-century games with us. Set aside your work and join the crew for a day of fun!

September 17 — Victory Dinner 6:00 pm After his August 19, 1812, victory over the Royal Navy, Capt. Isaac Hull returned to a hero’s welcome in Boston. Join us as we recreate the victory dinner given in his honor. The evening will feature period toasts, singing, and a host of other activities that will transport you back to the heady days of 1812! Reservations required.

October 8 — Mystery Dinner 5:30 pm Join us for an evening of mystery and mayhem at the Museum! Can you follow the clues and solve the crime before it’s too late? Become a sleuth while you enjoy light sailor’s fare and interact with all the suspects as you sort out whodunit! Reservations required.

October 31 — Halloween Haunt! 10:00 am–2:00 pm Show off your best costumes at the Museum’s Halloween Haunt! Join us for a day of spooky fun with kid-friendly crafts, trick-or-treating, and a haunted deck maze.

For times and more information about these events, please visit the Museum’s website,

www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org, as the dates approach.

Happy Birthday to you! O O O O

The Museum now hosts birthday parties! Bring your friends for a fun-filled, history-filled event in the shadow of the

nation’s most beloved ship. You don’t have to be old to love “Old Ironsides”!

Birthday parties at the Museum feature a menu of birthday activities, including knot-tying, the “Captain’s Coming” interactive game, and seafaring tall tales.

Additional activities may include making a captain’s hat, a sailor’s neckerchief, or a signal-flag necklace. For information, call Rebecca Crawford at 617-426-1812, ext. 131, or e-mail rcrawford@ussconstitutionmuseum.org. OP

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All Hands on Deck: A Sailor’s Life in 1812 — History comes alive!

Among the hands-on activities for all ages at All Hands on Deck are (clockwise from below) holystoning the deck; taking the Constitution Challenge; and inspecting the provisions.

Scrubbing the decks on hands and knees… the roar of

cannon fire in the distance… scrambling aloft to furl a sail in

gale-force winds… finally crawling into your hammock to get a

few hours of rest before facing the unknown of another day…

Adventurers of all ages will set sail on an extraordinary voyage

of discovery at the Museum in our newest exhibit, All Hands

on Deck: A Sailor’s Life in 1812. This innovative exhibit

marks a major shift in the ways history-museum

exhibits will be conceptualized for years to come.

The majority of visitors to museums are families or

intergenerational groups. But the traditional history-

museum exhibit format—which typically relies on the

display of aritfacts and accompanying text—often limits the

visitors who can engage directly in the museum experience.

Fundamental to family learning is the ability to interact, ask

questions, and have conversations, and the ability to identify or

relate personally to some aspect of the story being told.

The story of Constitution was typically rooted in the experi-

ences of the commanders of the ship and specific moments

in time. What was largely absent from these accounts was

the experiences of the crew—the ordinary seamen who lived

and worked and sometimes died in the confines of this small,

remote floating village. Few of us will be “commanders” in our

environments, and few will experience life at sea on board a

ship—but we all are members of a community and know that

we play a role in our own small world. Experience the world of

Constitution’s 1812 sailors in All Hands on Deck! O

Exhibit floorplan: bird’s-eye view

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Recreating 1812: Bringing the sailors to life

Name’s Stephen Webb. Home is in Salem, Massachusetts, where I live with my wife, Hannah, and our three girls. The separation is hard. I think about them every day. I want nothing more than to make them and my country proud. As captain of carronade #4, I am confident that I will do just that.

Joseph Cheever, ordinary seaman, here. My brother and I left Marblehead and joined Constitution’s crew

together to try our fortunes and to support our poor mother. I’m 20 years old

and have already seen more of the world than most

men twice my age.

Sailors enjoy their pork and peas, followed by a relaxed moment swapping stories with their messmates.

While we certainly hope that you will enjoy many hours in All

Hands on Deck, there are a few characters who will never leave. The

exhibit will be permanently populated by life-sized cutout figures rep-

resenting actual War of 1812 sailors. But how did the Museum bring

these men to life? With a great deal of intensive research!

Starting with the physical descriptions of the actual individuals—age,

height, eye and hair color, and scars or tattoos—Museum researchers

sought actors who had the right look and fit the sailors’ profiles. An

extensive review of clothing receipts and Navy contracts told us exactly

what Constitution’s men wore and allowed us to create a wardrobe of

100 percent hand-sewn garments. Skilled make-up artists gave the

actors the ruddy cheeks and dirty hands of real weather-beaten tars.

A professional photographer captured these men in high-resolution

action. Although it was a tremendous amount of work, the finished

product is impressive. We have the most accurate depictions of 1812

sailors ever seen—at least for 197 years! O

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Photos: Greg Cooper

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Meet the crew! Museum research uncovers details about sailors’ lives in 1812

We need you! Volunteer at the Museum and join our crew!The Museum is recruiting volunteers to help enhance our visitor experience. Enlist

yourself in a hands-on, minds-on environment and directly assist staff in outreach, visitor experiences, or research. We are looking

for enthusiastic and friendly people interested in history to help in a variety of tasks, including greeting visitors, assisting families

in the galleries, staffing special events, and

much more! Benefits include free park-

ing, training sessions, and discounts at the

Museum Store. Flexible opportunities for

weekday, weekend, and evening schedules

are available.

For a volunteer application or more

information about participating, contact

Rebecca Crawford, outreach learning

coordinator, at 617-426-1812, ext. 131, or

rcrawford@ussconstitutionmuseum.org.

Volunteer opportunities for summer 2009

start soon—come join our crew! O

Richard Dunn here. I joined Constitution’s crew in Annapolis,

Maryland, in 1812 as an able seaman. I am 25 years old

and was born in Philadelphia.

I, James Bennett, was born free at Duck Creek Crossroads in Delaware. It hasn't been easy, and I have the scars to prove it. In 1811, at the age of 28, providence brought me to Constitution. My life will never be the same.

Photos these pages: Greg Cooper

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All Hands On Deck foundation partnersThe Museum would like to thank the following for their support of the journey to make All Hands on Deck a reality.

National Endowment for the HumanitiesInstitute for Museum and Library ServicesCharles Hayden FoundationThe Grainger FoundationAmelia Peabody Charitable TrustLila M Jones EstateMabel Louise Riley FoundationYawkey Foundation IISunfield FoundationCabot Family Charitable TrustMass HumanitiesGladys Krieble Delmas FoundationBoston Marine Society

Take a seat at our mess. I’m John Love, ordinary seaman. I was born in England, but I’m fighting for my adopted home. I’ve resolved to save my pay and prize money from this cruise and head West when the war is over.

James Campbell here. Before I became a boatswain’s mate on board Constitution in 1812, I worked as a sailmaker in Baltimore. Don’t tell anyone, but I was actually born in Ireland. If I’m on a ship that’s captured by the British, I won’t live to sing another song.

What happened to the men on these pages?

ODid they survive their service on USS Constitution? Were they hailed as heroes? Or did they return quietly to their lives? Visit the exhibit to find out. You, too, will know what the future held for these hardy sailors.

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Collections CornerAmong the wonderful artifacts on display in All Hands on Deck: A Sailor’s Life in 1812 are these three items, which are on loan to the Museum from other institutions.

A ship’s biscuit that was on board USS Constitution in 1861. On loan from The Mariners’ Museum.

A fob that belonged to Isaac Hull and was used to seal letters with his name and an image of the ship. On loan from the Hull Fulweiler Collection.

A box of surgeon’s instruments that belonged to surgeon William Swift (1779–1864), a US Navy surgeon on Chesapeake. On loan from the Massachusetts Historical Society.

Nonprofit Org.U.S. PostagePAIDBoston, MAPermit No. 1797

USS Constitution MuseumBox 1812 • Boston, MA 02129

Address Service Requested

Photos: USS Constitution Museum