Charlestown Navy Yard Sights

The Charlestown Navy Yard was established in 1800, making it one of the United States’ oldest navy yards. Sections of it are now part of the Boston National Historical Park. There are many interesting things to see in the area. Make sure to allow a fair amount of time if you want to make the most of your visit.

A unique round building is visible after disembarking from the ferry at Pier 4. It is the Pump House (Building 123). Located adjacent to Dry Dock 2, it was used to pump water into and out of both Dry Dock 1 and Dry Dock 2.

Pump House, Charlestown Navy Yard. 29 April 2026.

Construction on Dry Dock 2 (below) was completed in 1905. It remained in operation until the navy yard was closed in 1974. It is currently open to the harbor and kept flooded.

Dry Dock 2, looking south, Charlestown Navy Yard. 29 April 2026.

Detail of some of Dry Dock 2’s stonework, Charlestown Navy Yard. 29 April 2026.

Portal Crane 65 between Building 24 (left) and Building 28, Charlestown Navy Yard. 29 April 2026.

USS Constitution Museum (Building 22). The building was originally the Dry Dock Engine House for Dry Dock 1. 29 April 2026.

Construction on Dry Dock 1 began in 1827 and was completed in 1833. Although the navy yard is closed, the dry dock is still used to carry out repairs on USS Constitution and USS Cassin Young.

Dry Dock 1, looking south, Charlestown Navy Yard. Note the wood keel blocks and bracing on the floor of the dry dock. The water is kept out by the caisson closing off the southern end of the dry dock. Just beyond the caisson is the USS Cassin Young. 29 April 2026.

USS Constitution with visitors going aboard. 29 April 2026.

Boston Naval Shipyard Gate 1. 29 April 2026.

Carlson, Stephen P. Charlestown Navy Yard Historic Resource Study. Vol. 1. Boston, MA: US Department of the Interior, 2010.