True Colours & Washington Standard Projects

Learn more about the process of recreating — and the history behind — the flags flown by 18th-century ships at sea during the Revolutionary War with the True Colours Flag Project. Plus, learn about the Museum's 2022-23 Washington Standard Project to create handmade replicas of General George Washington's headquarters flag.

About the True Colours Flag Project

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Learn More!

Explore the work of Betsy Ross, Rebecca Flower Young, and other Philadelphia seamstresses who supported the Revolutionary War by making the large flags flown by privateers and navy ships at sea. Throughout the summer 2021 run, on-site visitors had an opportunity to interact with the modern makers recreating these early flags from countries like the United States, France, Britain, Spain, Portugal, and more, including handling the flags, trying their hands at sewing, and learning about historic textile work. Digital visitors can read more below to follow the project's progress and take a closer look behind the scenes.

Sponsorship for the True Colours Flag Project is provided by The Color Guard of the Pennsylvania Society of Sons of the Revolution.

The Making of True Colours

Go behind-the-scenes with the Museum and the makers recreating these historic flags.

American Sailing Vessel 1778 Courtesy National Maritime Museum Royal Museums

National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

True Colours Flag Project

An Introduction to the True Colours Flag Project

Learn more about the Museum's True Colours Flag Project, an initiative to recreate a "suit of colours" or set of flags carried by ships during the Revolutionary War.

True Colours Flags laid out in liberty Hall at the Museum and photographed above from a lift

True Colours Flag Project

Meet the Makers of True Colours

Meet the seamstresses the Museum has partnered with to bring the True Colours Flag Project to life using historically accurate techniques and materials.

Tecumseh Flag Stiching Exampe Hammerstrom

True Colours Flag Project

How to Make a Flag or Standard

True Colours contributor Kirsten Hammerstrom explores the process and steps for sewing a standard, or flag, from wool bunting in this how-to post republished with her permission.

True Colours Betsy Ross House Dutch Ensign Flag

Historic Philadelphia, Inc.

True Colours Flag Project

True Colours Progress Update: Readying for a Flag Day Weekend Debut

Take a look at the progress of the seamstresses tasked with bringing the True Colours Flag Project to life as we near its Flag Day weekend debut.

True Colours Flag Project

True Colours Replica Flags Debut at the Museum

Check out photos and behind-the-scenes moments from the the debut of the True Colours Flag Project at the Museum over Flag Day weekend.

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True Colours Flag Project

Makers Reflect on the True Colours Flag Project

Hear from the makers and seamstresses who brought a "suit of colours," a full set of flags carried by ships during the Revolutionary War, to life for the Museum's True Colours Flag Project.

Watch

True Colours Flag Project

A Day Aboard the SULTANA with the True Colours Flag Project

Watch a recap of the Museum flying its collection of replica historic flags aboard the schooner SULTANA, a replica Revolutionary War-era vessel, on the Chester River in Chestertown, Maryland.

Watch

Washington Standard Project

Following the success of the True Colours Flag Project, the Museum embarked on a project researching and handmaking a replica of General George Washington's Standard flag, while documenting the process and doing on-site demonstrations. The original flag, which is a highlight of the Museum's collection, is said to have marked his presence throughout the Revolutionary War.

General George Washington Standard Flag featuring 13 six-pointed stars on a light sky blue silk field in the Museum's collection.

Washington Standard Project

An Introduction to the Washington Standard Project

Learn about the Museum's project to recreate General George Washington's headquarters flag that marked his presence while on campaign during the Revolutionary War.

Rowland Ricketts dyes silk for the Museum's replica of Washington's Standard flag.

Washington Standard Project

Washington Standard Project Progress Update

Read more about the process to weave and dye the silk used to construct the Museum's replica of George Washington's Standard flag.

Read & Watch

Textile conservator Virginia Whelan views the Washington Standard flag in the Museum's collection workroom.

Washington Standard Project

Completing the Washington Standard Project

Learn more about textile conservator Virginia Whelan's work to finish construction of a silk replica of George Washington's headquarters flag for the Museum's Washington Standard Project.

Read & Watch

America 250’s official recognition of the True Colours Flag Project acknowledges the program as an expression of the America 250 vision to inspire the American spirit.

Official Recognition