February 5 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
It\’s been a big year for birthdays for our ships. We celebrated Submarine
Becuna
\’s 75th birthday last May, and now we\’re celebrating Cruiser
Olympia
\’s 125th this week and all spring long!
Join us on Wednesday, February 5 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. to kick off the celebration with free admission in the Museum and aboard the ships, hourly guided tours starting at 11 a.m., a special bell ringing aboard
Olympia
at 1:25 p.m. (you can even have a chance to ring the bell!), and much more on board and in the Museum.
More information on upcoming events celebrating the 125th can be found below!
Cruiser
Olympia
has been docked in Philadelphia for nearly 100 years and served in various capacities, starting with exhibiting as part of the Philadelphia Navy Yard’s annual public Navy Day events, officiating the construction celebrations of the Delaware River Bridge (later renamed the Benjamin Franklin Bridge), and most notably as a Museum ship starting in 1957.
Over her years in the city,
Olympia
has welcomed visitors of all ages, from school students who marvel at her sheer size, adults who want to see a part of history, and even descendants tracing the steps of a family member’s service on-board. We are excited to celebrate her commissioning in the city she’s called home for so many years!
FAQs for the Crew:
What are we celebrating?
Cruiser
Olympia
’s 125th commissioning anniversary! It’s basically a ship’s birthday.
What is a commissioning?
A ship’s
commissioning
is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service. A commissioning is different from a launch, which is when a ship is named and placed in the water.
Olympia
, the oldest steel warship afloat in the world, was launched in 1892 and commissioned for service in 1895.
What did
Olympia
do?
In addition to serving as the flagship of the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish- American War under the direction of Admiral George Dewey,
Olympia
has played a pivotal role in several major historical events. Her final mission was transporting the Unknown Soldier of World War I from Le Havre, France to the United States where he is now entombed at Arlington National Cemetery. Learn more about
Olympia
’s history and significance
here
.
How are we celebrating?
So glad you asked! February 5 is
Olympia
’s actual commissioning date, so we are marking the occasion with plenty of fun activities (scroll down for a full list). Can’t make it to celebrate on February 5? We hope you can join us but we get it, it’s a Wednesday in February. Don’t worry, we are having a bigger birthday bash on Saturday, May 9!
Be sure to tag us in your photos and use #Olympia125
Schedule of Events:
Olympia
’s Commissioning Celebration
Wednesday, February 5 | 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Celebrate
Olympia
’s commissioning anniversary with
free admission
to
Olympia
as well as Submarine
Becuna
and the Museum. Climb aboard for guided tours every hour starting at 11 a.m. plus have a chance to ring
Olympia
’s bell at 1:25 p.m. Warm up with free hot chocolate (while supplies last). Imagine the life of a sailor by testing your knot-tying skills, lie in a hammock similar to those the crew slept in, and try to fit all of your belongings in a ditty box while you’re aboard.
Free RSVP here.
Inside the Museum, be sure to explore
Olympia
\’s role in World War I in our
exhibit
World War I: USS Olympia
and check out the Curatorial Corner in the lobby with rotating thematic displays of artifacts and photos through the ship\’s history.
Youth and Opportunities in Society: 1890s to Today
Saturday, February 15 | 1 p.m.
Explore the challenges and opportunities facing youth today with guest speakers Juwan Z. Bennett of Temple University and Dr. Uade Da Silva, Lieutenant, USN, Retired. Bennett will discuss the challenges of equal opportunity for youth in today\’s workforce, while Da Silva will speak about contemporary race relations in the Navy. Explore the different opportunities and roles open to seamen during Cruiser
Olympia
\’s service time in the 1890s.
20th Century to Present: The Changing Role of Women in the Navy
Saturday, March 14
Join the Cruiser
Olympia
Living History Crew to explore the roles of women on board ships and in the Navy during
Olympia
’s time period.
Cruiser
Olympia
Hard Hat Tours
Bi-monthly, starting March 28
Hard Hat Tours return this spring for
Olympia
’s 125th! Explore more than 12 areas of the warship normally only reserved for staff. Learn about
Olympia
\’s technical details (did you know she was one of the first ships to have a radio communications system installed?), what life was like aboard for her crew, and more! Ticket information available soon.
Philadelphia Science Festival: Citywide Star Party
Friday, April 17 | 7 p.m.
Climb aboard and learn all about the stars from astronomers as part of the
Philadelphia Science Festival
!
Battle of Manila Bay Commemoration
Saturday, May 2
Step on board with the
Olympia
Living History Crew (pictured right) as they explore the history of the American Navy and highlight society at the height of the Victorian age. Visitors will experience what life was like aboard the vessel in 1898 through demonstrations of ship-to-ship signaling, artillery drills, and more.
Olympia
’s Waterfront Splash!
Saturday, May 9
Join us for
Olympia
’s official 125th birthday party! A special ceremony featuring guest speakers and the unveiling of a gift for
Olympia
will take place in the morning. Stay tuned for more information.
Join the Living History Crew for activities aboard the ship and learn more about what life was like for her crew. Stick around for the season opening of
Admiral’s Tavern
, our pop-up beer garden on
Olympia
’s fantail open all summer long! Sign a birthday card for
Olympia
and of course, enjoy some cake.
2020 Waterfront Gala
Saturday, May 9
Join us for a delightful evening as we celebrate the 125th anniversary of Cruiser Olympia’s commissioning and honor Burchenal Green, President and Executive Director of the National Maritime Historical Society, who will receive the 2020 Independence Seaport Museum Award for Maritime Preservation in honor of her commitment to protecting America’s historic ships and promoting our maritime heritage. Tickets and more information about the gala available
here
.
Interested in volunteering to help out with any of the above events? Contact Greg Williams, Submarine Becuna Manager, Shipboard Educator, and Volunteer Coordinator, at
gwilliams@phillyseaport.org
or 215-413-8679.
This celebration would not be possible without the generous support of our community! Interested in making a gift in support of Cruiser Olympia? Click
here
.