U.S.S. CONSTITUTION
Also known as: Old Ironsides
Why it's listed
Launched at Boston on October 21, 1797, the frigate Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys as a ship powerful enough to beat equals and fast enough to outsail stronger opponents. She measured 204 feet overall, displaced 2,200 tons and carried a crew of 450 to 500. Her service included the undeclared naval war with France, the campaign against the Barbary pirates, and the War of 1812. In August 1812 she defeated the British ship Guerriere, and by tradition the enemy's shots bounced off her planking, giving her the name "Old Ironsides." She took part in about 40 engagements without a loss. A protest over a proposal to break her up in 1829 led to rebuilding in 1833-35. Further major restorations followed, including 1927-31, and the form estimates that only 10 to 15 percent of her original material remains. She is the oldest commissioned warship in the world and is displayed to visitors at the Boston Naval Shipyard.
Significance in brief: The form describes her as the oldest commissioned warship in the world and a symbol of American naval skill in the age of sail. She served in the undeclared war with France, against the Barbary pirates, and in the War of 1812, where she earned the name "Old Ironsides." She took part in some 40 engagements without a single loss.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000789, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Boston Naval Shipyard, Boston |
|---|---|
| County | Suffolk County |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000789 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 1797 |
| Architect / builder | Joshua Humphreys |
| Areas of significance | Military, Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated December 19, 1960 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Permanently berthed at the Boston Naval Shipyard, in commission and open to the public daily; a full restoration began in April 1973 and was scheduled to finish about June 1976. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Boston Naval Shipyard |
| Coordinates | 42.37246, -71.05656 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000789.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q944436
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.