Historic Ships in Baltimore

Looking back on a special moment from earlier this month, we are grateful to the Maryland Historical Trust for recognizing the USS Constellation Rigging Project with the 2026 Excellence in Restoration Award.

The best way to help us celebrate? Come aboard USS Constellation and see the award-winning restoration for yourself. We invite you to explore our entire fleet this summer, including during Sail250 Maryland & Airshow Baltimore when Baltimore's waterfront comes alive with tall ships from around the world. Produced by Historic Ships in Baltimore and Living Classrooms Foundation, Sail250 is a days-long family-friendly event including food, festivals, and fun - we hope to see you there!

And if you missed the award coverage, check out the video of the ceremony and the news round-up in the post below! ⚓️

Many thanks to WBAL-TV 11 Baltimore for highlighting this exciting recognition! We are proud of everyone who helped make the USS Constellation Rigging Project a success and honored to receive Maryland Historical Trust’s 2026 Preservation Award for Excellence in Restoration.

The USS Constellation earned grand recognition for its restoration efforts. FULL STORY⬇️

Today, we were honored to receive a 2026 Preservation Award for Excellence in Restoration from the Maryland Historical Trust for the USS Constellation Rigging Project.

This recognition belongs to everyone who helped make this comprehensive six-month project possible: our incredible staff at Historic Ships in Baltimore, our dedicated colleagues at Living Classrooms Foundation, the master riggers, shipwrights, and blacksmiths who worked alongside us, and the invaluable apprentices from our Workforce Skills Training Program who gained hands-on experience while helping preserve one of the nation's most significant historic vessels. This restoration ensures that the USS Constellation will continue to inspire and educate visitors and serve as a centerpiece of Baltimore's waterfront for years to come.

We were grateful to celebrate with supporters both in person and via livestream, and to be joined by Elizabeth Hughes and Brenna Spray of the Maryland Historical Trust.

Stay tuned – we'll be sharing additional photos and video highlights from the ceremony in the coming days!

Given the mission of “Expert Mouser,” a cat named Herman was officially commissioned into the Coast Guard and assigned a very specific duty in 1943: hunting down and controlling the rodent population aboard active vessels.

Herman wasn’t just a guest on board - he was enlisted. Tasked with keeping ships free of rodents that could damage supplies and disrupt life at sea, he earned his place as a working member of the crew through sheer instinct and consistency.

Herman even received an official identification card issued in his hometown of Baltimore, marking him as an official member of the service.

Photo credits Baltimore Sun Media Group

Historic Ships is thrilled to be one of the organizers for this event! Stop by for family-friendly demonstrations, science experiments, and hands-on activities; and take a break from the heat inside the Pavilion!

⚓🔬 FREE Family-Friendly STEM Fun at Sail250® Maryland & Airshow Baltimore presented by Northrop Grumman!

Step inside Living Classrooms' STEM Exploration Zone sponsored by Baltimore Development Corporation and Constellation at the Baltimore Inner Harbor Festival and discover three days of hands-on learning, innovation, maritime history, and interactive experiences for all ages.

🗓️ Friday, June 26 – Sunday, June 28, 2026
📍 Pratt St. Pavilion | Baltimore Inner Harbor
⏰ 10AM–5PM daily

Explore exciting exhibits and activities from:
⚓ U.S. Navy & Naval Research organizations
🌊 NOAA & environmental education groups
🚢 Historic Ships & Living History reenactors
🛠️ Maritime trades & STEM organizations
👨‍🔬 Interactive science, engineering & technology demos
🎭 Hands-on activities designed for kids and families

Meet educators, sailors, historians, scientists, and innovators from organizations including the U.S. Naval Academy, Naval History & Heritage Command, NOAA, Port Discovery Children’s Museum, Historic Ships in Baltimore, Living Classrooms Foundation, and many more.

PLUS — enjoy Living History programming throughout the waterfront festival areas, featuring reenactors, sailors, cannon crews, ship surgeons, maritime demonstrations, and historic vessels that bring history to life during the celebration.

Our Living History Double Feature returns!

On Saturday, May 30, Ship's Company, Inc. will be on board Constellation, with all-day demonstrations and hands-on activities portraying life on board during the Civil War.

They will be joined on board by Brad Stone, our ship's surgeon. Don't forget to stop by the sick bay to learn about what medical treatment was like on a ship like Constellation!