Visit the Museum on Friday afternoon to enjoy lunch in the Mariners’ Park Café and stimulating Civil War discussion with renowned historian, John Quarstein. There is no charge to participate. Lunch will be available for purchase at the café!

Even before the contract was signed on October 4, 1861, to build the ironclad Monitor, construction was underway. Numerous contractors were involved in the ship’s rapid construction with the primary builders being Continental Iron Works, Novelty Iron Works, and Delamater Iron Works. These builders used a host of subcontractors; yet, they missed their 100-day deadline. Nevertheless, USS Monitor was launched on January 30, 1862, and was able to leave New York on March 6, 1862. Destination? Hampton Roads, Virginia.