Ports, Docks, & Shipyards

Experience the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and discover historic boats, engaging exhibits, and all-ages programming that celebrate the Bay's history, environment, & culture. Watch skilled craftsmen in the working shipyard and enjoy scenic waterfront views. Located in St. Michael’s, this captivating destination invites you to explore the Chesapeake story through hands-on learning, world-class exhibitions, & on-the-water experiences. Your Chesapeake adventure begins here.

The Bartlett Cove Dock is where the action happens! Launch your adventure by boat here, or visit the dock to take in the sights.

The Commandant's House is one of the oldest structures in the Charlestown Navy Yard, with panoramic views of Boston Harbor. Built in 1805, the building served as the private home for the first Commandant of the Navy Yard and his family, as well as an entertainment venue for some of the highest ranking naval officers of the time. Today, the Commandant's House has been preserved by the National Park Service as part of Boston National Historical Park.

No other building in the Charlestown Navy Yard has had as many strikingly different uses as Building 5, reflecting the complexity of the 175-year history of the U.S. Navy in Boston.

As one of the first dry docks constructed for the U.S. Navy, Dry Dock 1 has played an integral role in the country's naval history.

Built in 1833, this row of five townhouses primarily served as the homes of naval officers and their families. Many of these officers supervised the building and repairing of ships in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Despite having a busy shipyard right outside of their front door, these residences (also known as "Captains' Row") became desirable places to live. Most families lived here for about three years, the typical length of a job assignment in the U.S. Navy.

In order to produce its own rope, the US Navy constructed the Ropewalk at the Charlestown Navy Yard. Here, at this quarter-mile long building, workers manufactured rope for the entire US Navy for 120 years.

This program is part of an introduction to the history of the park and the WWII Home Front. You can listen to it at home, while driving, before your visit to the park visitor center or as part of the official NPS App driving tour. These files are also available as a free download on our website and can be a great educational tool for your classroom.

Evans Boat Launch is a water access point on Lake Roosevelt with a paved boat ramp, dock, information kiosk, and vault toilet. A campground is nearby.

USS HARTFORD, a sloop-of-war ship, most notably served as Admiral Farragut's flagship during the American Civil War.

Built at the Charlestown Navy Yard, HMS GORE served in the Royal Navy during World War II. This ship's story speaks to the international cooperation between the United States and United Kingdom during the war.

Larger and faster than World War II-era LSTs, Suffolk County served to transport Marines and their equipment during amphibious operations.

This series of lesson plans about the WWII home front, focus on Savannah and Chatham County, Georgia, as an American World War II Heritage City. The lessons contain photographs, readings, and primary sources, with optional extension activities. The lessons highlight specific contributions, such as shipbuilding and civilian contributions. The lessons also connect to larger themes and understandings of the US home front during wartime.

Learn more about the 9 commanders of USS CASSIN YOUNG.

This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Savannah and Chatham County, Georgia, an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains photographs, readings, optional media activity, and a culminating mastery project. The culminating project contributes to learners’ understandings of the city as a WWII Heritage City, with the opportunity to combine themes from the three other lessons in the Savannah and Chatham lesson collection.

This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front, with Savannah and Chatham County, Georgia designated as an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains readings and photos to contribute to learners’ understandings about shipbuilding in Savannah, such as the production of Liberty ships and minesweepers. Civilian workers, including women and youth, contributed to the efforts.

Four lessons support the development of understanding the significance of Savannah and Chatham County, Georgia designated as an American World War II Heritage City. Highlights include shipbuilding and defense industries, the Armed Forces presence at Hunter Field, and civilian home front contributions in both paid and volunteer work. The lessons highlight specific contributions but connect to larger themes and understandings of the U.S. home front during WWII.

This a series of lesson plans about the WWII home front, focused on Evansville, Indiana, as an American World War II Heritage City. The lessons contain photographs, readings, and primary sources, with optional extension activities. The lessons highlight specific contributions (such as manufacturing and civilian volunteerism). There is a focus on women's history and African American history. The lessons also connect to larger themes and understandings of the US home front during wartime.

Four lessons support the development of understanding the significance of Evansville, Indiana designated as an American World War II Heritage City. Highlights include contributions to war manufacturing and contributions made by many civilians, including thousands served at the local Red Cross Canteen. Women and African American contributions are highlighted. The lessons show specific contributions connected to larger themes of the U.S. home front during WWII.