USS CONSTITUTION: Living History

While exhibits can travel, museums are, for the most part, stationary.  The internet is quickly changing this concept, allowing museums to educate people thousands of miles away by reaching them via their computers.  We’ve experienced this in HistoryWired; the National American History Museum’s website.  Social media like facebook, yelp, and twitter provide free advertising for these museums but also invite reviews, reactions, and even criticisms.  The power the internet holds for museums is no longer just advertising but educating.  An example of this is the USS Constitution Museum and ship, in Boston, Massachusetts.

USS CONSTITUTION has a long and storied history; named by George Washington and launched in 1797, the ship served in multiple battles.  The most famous battles took place during the War of 1812.  ‘Old Ironsides’ was decommissioned and recommissioned multiple times before she began service as a museum ship in 1907.  The ship is both a memorial and a national symbol of both the US Navy and the US Marine Corp who have served on the ship for almost 200 years.

The Naval History and Heritage Command is still in charge of everything to do with the USS Constitution Museum.   The museum’s mission statement can be found on their website.  It reads “The USS Constitution Museum ensures that the stories of USS CONSTITUTION and those who shaped her history are never forgotten, always remain relevant, and inspire as many people as possible.”  In order to accomplish this task, the museum uses social media like facebook, twitter, yelp, and their own website to promote their events and advertise their museum.

The Bicentennial Celebration of the War of 1812 is fast approaching.  Thanks to the important role USS CONSTITUTION played in the war, the USS Constitution Museum will front and center in the quest to engage people and educate them about the history of the war.  I propose to explore how the museum uses social media and their own website to entice people to the celebration and educate them in their own homes.  I would like to compare the ways USS CONSTITUTION portrays itself on the internet with the kinds of reviews it receives on sites like Yelp.

On the review and advice site, Yelp, USS CONSTITUTION has received many positive reviews from people who were touched by the way the museum has the power to make history come alive.  The ship seems to garner praise from civilians and military personnel of all ages.  These reviews are from people who have physically visited the ship and have felt the history around them.  I would like to compare these reviews with the activities USS CONSTITUTION’s twitter advertises and the ways in which the ship has the power to touch the lives of people who have not yet visited it.

USS CONSTITUTION is unique in the sense that it is truly living history.  It is still an operational ship, complete with a crew.  The ship will sail again during the Bicentennial Celebrations.  USS CONSTITUTION is still a place where international treaties can be officially signed.  It will be interesting to see how the USS Constitution Museum balances the past with current events that will soon be a part of their history through the different outlets provided by social media and the power of the web.

The primary sources for the print project will be the USS Constitution Museum’s twitter, yelp, facebook, and website.  The secondary sources will come from books and articles about the museum and ship, many available online through the Naval History and Heritage Command website.  Other secondary sources will come from class discussions and readings.