Celebrate Flag Day Weekend with Flag-Themed Crafts, Pop-Up Talks, and Activities for All Ages, June 11 – 14

Take Home a Free Handheld Version of George Washington’s Headquarters Flag

Create Your Own Flag with Fleisher Art Memorial’s ColorWheels Mobile Art Studio on Saturday, June 11

On June 14, 1777, Congress passed the first Flag Act, adopting the 13-star flag as the official flag of the new United States. Join the Museum of the American Revolution during Flag Day Weekend from Saturday, June 11 – Tuesday, June 14, 2022, to learn about Revolutionary-era flags of “all kinds of colours” with flag-themed crafts, pop-up talks, discovery carts, and other activities for the whole family. Throughout the weekend, visitors will receive a free handheld version of George Washington’s Headquarters Flag to take home.

On Saturday, June 11, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., join Fleisher Art Memorial’s ColorWheels mobile art studio on the Museum’s outdoor plaza (weather permitting) to create your own flag-themed craft to take home. Dubbed the “Swiss Army Knife of art,” ColorWheels delivers creative experiences directly to community members in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.

Beginning Saturday, June 11, eight large, handmade flags replicating those that were flown by Revolutionary-era privateers and navy ships at sea will be on display in the Museum’s atrium, as part of the Museum’s True Colours Flag Project. Learn more about how and why these huge flags were flown during the Revolutionary War with a printed Family Guide full of games and activities. The True Colours Flag Project will be on display through Labor Day Weekend.

Flag Day Weekend Highlights:

• Special Exhibit: Liberty: Don Troiani’s Paintings of the Revolutionary War | Daily, 11 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  The Museum's special exhibition, now open through Sept. 5, 2022, immerses visitors in the dramatic and research-based works of nationally renowned historical artist Don Troiani to bring compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events of the American Revolution to life. Don’t miss 10-minute pop-up talks throughout the weekend about the flag of the 8th Virginia Regiment, which is featured in one of the paintings.
• Flag Craft with Fleisher Art Memorial | Saturday, June 11, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
  Join Fleisher Art Memorial’s ColorWheels mobile art studio on the Museum’s outdoor plaza (weather permitting) to create your own flag-themed craft to take home. This hands-on activity will be led by Fleisher staff and does not require Museum admission.
• On Display: True Colours Flag Project | Throughout the weekend
  The Museum’s handsewn, replica “suit of colours” will be back on display throughout Flag Day Weekend. Why did 18th-century ships carry flags from many countries during the Revolutionary War? And what did it mean for a ship to fly its “true colours”? Explore the American Revolution’s global connections with this display of eight large, handmade replica flags, on view through Labor Day Weekend. Sponsorship for the project was provided by The Color Guard of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution.
• Revolution Place Discovery Center | Daily, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  Beginning Flag Day Weekend, the Museum’s family-friendly Revolution Place discovery center will be open daily throughout the summer from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Families can explore four key recreated historical environments, including a military encampment, a tavern, a home, and an 18th-century meeting house. During Flag Day Weekend, kids can create their own six-pointed star like those featured on George Washington’s Headquarters Flag.
• Pop-up Talks: Monmouth and Forster Flags | Throughout the weekend
  Enjoy 10-minute pop-up talks to learn more about the Monmouth flag and Forster flag on display at the Museum. The Monmouth flag, on loan from the Monmouth County Historical Association, descended in a Pennsylvania family and is one of the oldest surviving flags from the American Revolution, dating to 1775-76. The Forster flag, on loan from Brian and Barbara Hendelson, may be one of the earliest American flags to have been altered after the Declaration of Independence; it is clear that the British Union was removed from it and the white fabric has been reworked to create stripes. 
• Rebecca Flower Young Discovery Cart | Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  Meet a Museum educator to view replica objects and learn more about Rebecca Flower Young’s work as a military contractor making flags and drum cases for the Continental Army.
• Stories on Deck: Life at Sea| Throughout the weekend
  All hands on deck on the Museum’s replica sloop! Join a Museum educator for a story about what life was like at sea during the Revolutionary War and which professions sailors worked in after the war.
• Free Flag Giveaway | Throughout the weekend
  Throughout the weekend, all visitors to the Museum will receive a handheld version of General George Washington's Headquarters Flag, the flag in the Museum's collection that is said to have marked his presence throughout the Revolutionary War.

Flag Day Weekend programming is included with regular Museum admission. The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased by calling 215.253.6731, at AmRevMuseum.org, or at the front desk. Save $2 per adult ticket by purchasing online. Tickets are valid for two consecutive days. Children ages 5 and under are always free.

Health and Safety Note
Masks and proof of vaccination are no longer required for daytime visitors to the Museum. More information about health and safety measures at the Museum is available here.

About Fleisher Art Memorial
Fleisher’s mission is to make art accessible to everyone, regardless of economic means, background, or artistic experience. Founded in 1898, we are one of the country’s oldest nonprofit community art schools and are committed to advancing the vision of our founder, Samuel S. Fleisher, who believed that art is one of society’s greatest assets and equalizers, and from the doorway of his Graphic Sketch Club, “invited the world to come and learn art.” For more information, visit www.fleisher.org. 

About Museum of the American Revolution
The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.