by Jackie Tammaro
October 13, 2026
Categories: History,
On October 13, 1775, the Continental Congress took the first steps in establishing the United States Navy. More than 250 years later, the Navy continues to celebrate October 13 as its birthday. Philadelphia has been a part of that story from the beginning, and the Navy Yard remains a place where that history is part of the landscape.
Philadelphia’s Early Naval History
Philadelphia became an important center of naval activity during the Revolutionary War and early years of the nation. In 1801, the Navy established the Philadelphia Navy Yard in Southwark. As ships grew larger and technology advanced, the Navy needed more space. In 1868, Philadelphia transferred 923 acres of League Island to the federal government, and naval operations moved there from Southwark in 1876.
Life at the Shipyard During World War II
The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard remained active for the next 120 years. During World War II, it became a major center of shipbuilding, repair, and military activity. More than 40,000 people worked at the Shipyard at its peak. The Yard was also home to thousands of military personnel and ship crews, with barracks and other facilities built to house people working and training during the war. Over its history, 53 warships were constructed at the Shipyard, and more than 1,200 others were repaired.
The Philadelphia Naval Shipyard closed on September 26, 1996. But the story of the Navy Yard continued.
From Naval Base to Business Community
In 2000, PIDC, Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation, acquired control of the 1,200-acre site and began leading its transformation into a modern business community. Today, that work combines new development with the preservation and adaptive reuse of historic buildings, keeping the character and history of the former shipyard visible throughout the campus.
Building on the Navy Yard’s Legacy
Shipbuilding remains an important part of the Navy Yard, alongside companies and organizations working in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, technology, and other industries. U.S. Navy engineering centers also continue to operate on the campus, maintaining a connection to its naval roots.
The Navy Yard is also becoming a place to live and spend time. More than 20 acres of parks and open space provide places to gather, while events and programming bring employees, residents, and visitors together throughout the year. AVE Normandy, the Navy Yard’s first residential community, and AVE Constitution have added another dimension to the campus and are helping create a neighborhood where people can live, work, and spend time.
In the Navy’s 251st birthday, we remember the history that shaped this place and the people who brought it to life. More than two centuries after Philadelphia first became part of the Navy’s story, the Navy Yard continues to build on that legacy while writing a new chapter of its own.
Explore the Navy Yard’s HistoryLearn more about the people & places that shaped the Yard
Want to learn more about the history behind the Navy Yard? Visit our About page to explore the people, places, and milestones that have shaped the campus for more than 200 years.