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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
USS Constitution
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

USS Constitution

Artifact IDMO 1945.70.1
Object Type Model
Maker
Dateca. 1818
Mediumpaint, wood, string, metal
Dimensionsoverall (on base) H 38 1/2 in x W 50 in x D 18 in (97.8 cm x 127 cm x 45.7 cm )
Physical DescriptionA scale model of the three-masted frigate, USS CONSTITUTION. The wooden ship has a black hull with white trim, elaborate rigging, and no sails. There are 52 guns around the ship, and minimal deck detail. The ship's name is on either side of the bow and at the rear of the stern. The model is fixed to a stained wood cradle stand.
Historical NoteThis was Franklin Roosevelt’s favorite ship model. Known affectionately as Old Ironsides, the CONSTITUTION is the most famous ship of the early American Navy. Roosevelt purchased this model in January 1914 while he was serving as Assistant Secretary of the Navy. He personally re-rigged it while he was Governor of New York. During his presidency, he displayed it in a prominent spot in his private study in the White House residence. It remained there until he sent it to the Roosevelt Library shortly before his death.

FDR purchased this model from Walter F. Davidge, Jr. It originally belonged to Davidge’s grandfather, Dr. Bailey Washington, a surgeon in the United States Navy who had served aboard the CONSTITUTION. Family tradition maintained that the model was made in the Washington Navy Yard and given to Dr. Washington while he was stationed there in the 1830s or 1840s.

Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on April 7, 1945. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesShip Models (National Archives Identifier 782457)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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