As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, the Stars and Stripes are being prominently featured in events and exhibitions nationwide. This summer offers numerous opportunities to engage with the history and symbolism of the American flag.
In Baltimore, the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and Museum preserves the home of Mary Pickersgill, the seamstress credited with creating the 30-by-42-foot garrison flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. This historic banner inspired Francis Scott Key's writing of "The Star-Spangled Banner." While the original flag is housed at the Smithsonian Institution, the Baltimore museum offers a replica and highlights Pickersgill's contributions. At Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, a modern American flag flies continuously, with summer programming including daily flag changes and historical reenactments.
Philadelphia, often cited as the birthplace of the flag, features the Betsy Ross House. Here, visitors can explore the history surrounding the legendary seamstress and the creation of the first American flag, complete with a costumed interpreter to answer questions. Pittsburgh's National Flag Foundation Education Center provides educational resources on flag history and etiquette.
New York State boasts one of the country's largest publicly held flag collections, housed at the Flag Room at Empire State Plaza and the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs. The collection includes over 2,200 flags dating back to the War of 1812, with a significant portion from the Civil War, showcasing battle scars that contribute to their historical narrative.
Western New York's Old Fort Niagara, the oldest continuously occupied military site in North America, is home to one of the earliest surviving American flags, dating from before 1815. The flag requires strict environmental controls for preservation.
In Tennessee, Old Glory Distilling Co. in Clarksville embraces a patriotic theme, featuring flags throughout its premises and on its products, aiming to reflect traditional American values.
The Patriot Tour, an annual cross-country motorcycle event organized by the nonprofit Nation of Patriots, travels to all 50 states to raise funds for U.S. veterans and their families. The tour is scheduled to visit various locations, including Aiken, South Carolina, and Seligman, Arizona.
Theme parks are also observing patriotic traditions. Disneyland Park in Anaheim has held daily flag-raising and lowering ceremonies since its opening in 1955. Similarly, Magic Kingdom in Kissimmee performs a daily flag ceremony, often including a service member or veteran as the day's representative.
Colorado's Cloud Camp at The Broadmoor Hotel features a nightly flag ceremony accompanied by music, including versions of "America the Beautiful," a song inspired by nearby Pikes Peak. This ritual has been described as an emotional experience for guests, particularly veterans.
These locations offer a variety of ways for the public to connect with the history and enduring symbolism of the American flag throughout the summer.