Philadelphia, the oldest United States surviving intact warship, which was sunk by the British in battle in 1776, is undergoing a makeover ahead of the nation’s 250th birthday, writes Michael E. Ruane for The Washington Post.
The warship was launched on July 30, 1776, just weeks after the Declaration of Independence was signed. Now with the nation approaching its milestone birthday, specialists are readying the vessel to take part in the historic celebrations.
“It’s one of the most important objects — movable objects — of the Revolution, flat out,” said Anthea M. Hartig, director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.
Over the years, the resilient vessel has survived battle, sinking, the elements, wood-eating bacteria, rodents, and even misguided preservation efforts.
After being sunk on Oct. 11, 1776, the ship lay at the bottom of a lake for 159 years until it was recovered in 1935 to serve as a tourist attraction.
Nearly 30 years later, it was moved to Washington D.C. to be installed in what was then the National Museum of History and Technology. It was placed inside the building while construction was still underway and has stayed there ever since.
Read more about the Philadelphia warship and its milestone makeover in The Washington Post.
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on PHILADELPHIA.Today in January 2026.
