USS Monitor in action with the CSS Virginia, J.O. Davidson, March 9, 1862
Officially, the 150th anniversary of the launch of the first Union ironclad warship falls on Monday (January 30, 1862 + 150 years). The USS Monitor was constructed at Continental Iron Works in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, and if you love a little local history, at this very moment in dear old Greenpoint, a whole day of festivities celebrating the USS Monitor is in swing, culminating with a Civil War concert this evening from 7-8:30 pm at the Church of the Ascension (127 Kent St., Brooklyn, NY 1122), where a suggested donation will run you $10. For those who are not lactose intolerant or fans of prohibition, there is wine and cheese before hand.
Additional events will literally carry you through the entire weekend. Go be historical! You might even see Kathleen there.
Additionally, to get in the spirit you can listen to one of my favorite historically geared songs by one of my favorite Brooklyn-based bands: Bishop Allen’s “The Monitor.”
Words to Bumble 