March into Spring Break with family-friendly activities for all ages at the Museum. Info & Tickets

Dismiss notification

Discover Rare Revolutionary-Era Flags with the Museum’s Virtual Tour 

A new nation needs a new way to represent itself. 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 as we mark Flag Day virtually from Friday–Sunday, June 12–14, 2020. 

On Friday, June 12 at 10 a.m., tune into the Museum’s Facebook page for a conversation about flags with Museum President and CEO Dr. R. Stephenson and textile conservator Virginia Whelan, who conserved flags and other textiles for the Museum including Washington’s Standard, the flag that marked his presence on the battlefield during the Revolutionary War.

On the Museum’s Instagram page on Sunday, June 14 at Noon, watch a live flag-making demonstration with Tyler Putman, the Museum’s Manager of Gallery Interpretation, as he adds stitches to a reproduction Revolutionary-era flag and discusses the complicated meanings and messages associated with our nation’s flag. Ask him your pressing vexillology (study of flags, of course) questions.

Then, choose colors and symbols to make your own flag by following the Museum’s step-by-step instructions. Be sure to share your work on FacebookInstagram or Twitter and tag @AmRevMuseum.

With the Museum’s recently enhanced, free Virtual Tour, you can explore the galleries anytime and see two rare Revolutionary-era flags, the Monmouth Flag and the Forster Flag, in the “Flags” gallery. The Monmouth Flag descended in a Pennsylvania family and is one of the oldest surviving flags from the American Revolution, dating to 1775-6. The Forster Flag 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.  

Flag Day Weekend with the Museum is sponsored by Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company.

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.