Proposed by: Little Compton Garden Club, Zone I

A national icon for 221 years, the USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world—a stirring symbol of American naval innovation and courage and of the nation’s historic wealth of old-growth hardwood forests. Oak for the ship’s 22-inch-thick solid hull was particularly important because it could withstand cannon fire and saltwater’s corrosive effects. 

Launched in 1797, Constitution was built from live oak, red cedar, white oak, pitch pine, and locust from Maine, South Carolina, and Georgia. Soon after, the federal government established its first and only tree farm to provide a renewable source of live oak timber for ship construction. In 1976, the US Navy dedicated “Constitution Grove” in Crane, Indiana, to supply white oak for Constitution’s ongoing repairs; it features massive white oaks, some over a century old, carefully managed for shipbuilding quality.

With 33 naval victories during the War of 1812, Constitution earned lasting fame and the title “Old Ironsides.” Serving as more than a warship, she carried noted botanists such as José Correia da Serra to America. She also transported artworks and industrial displays to the 1878 Paris Exposition. Threatened with retirement on multiple occasions, Constitution was repeatedly saved—most notably in 1989, when Charleston, South Carolina donated live oak trees felled by Hurricane Hugo.

Each year, the US Navy welcomes approximately 500,000 guests aboard this three-masted frigate. In 2017, after 26 months in dry dock and $12 million in restorations, America’s Ship of State was relaunched. Copper sheathing, outside wooden planks, sections of the cutwater and trailboards, and 44 gun carriages were rebuilt; rigging, masts, and yards were refurbished. The USS Constitution Museum, established in 1976, engages visitors of all ages with maritime heritage, naval service, and the American experience. The museum ensures that the stories of the Constitution and those who shaped her history remain relevant and inspire future generations.