A Growing Constellation: Flags and Founding Documents, 1776-2020

FAIN: GA-271872-20

Museum of the American Revolution (Philadelphia, PA 19106-2818)
R. Scott Stephenson (Project Director: January 2020 to present)

No project description available

Media Coverage

‘No Union With Slavery,’ ‘God Armeth the Patriot’ and other flags of America are visiting the Revolution Museum (Review)
Author(s): Stephan Salisbury
Publication: Philadelphia Inquirer
Date: 6/11/2021
Abstract: Review of the Flags and Founding Documents exhibition published the day before it opened to the public.
URL: https://www.inquirer.com/arts/us-flag-history-museum-of-american-revolution-philadelphia-20210611.html

New Flag Exhibition Flies High at the Museum of the American Revolution (Review)
Author(s): Sharyn L. Flanagan
Date: 7/1/2021
Abstract: The Philadelphia Tribune ran a positive review of the Flags and Founding Documents special exhibit, which featured an interview with Matthew Skic. A visitor quote included in the story says, “I want [my grandchildren] to see where they come from not just as Black people, but as American people. This museum is a hidden gem.”
URL: https://www.phillytrib.com/lifestyle/new-flag-exhibition-flies-high-at-the-museum-of-the-american-revolution/article_8e6a6e9b-4849-5295-b34e-818f8e10805a.html

Rare Flags Coming to Old City Museum (Media Coverage)
Publication: Fox 29 News
Date: 6/10/2021
Abstract: The opening of the Museum’s new special exhibition was covered by numerous outlets, including segments that aired on FOX-29 News and ABC6 News. Other media entities that covered the opening include Antique Week, The Magazine Antiques, Yahoo News, CBS This Morning, and the Broad Street Review.
URL: https://mms.tveyes.com/MediaCenterPlayer.aspx?u=aHR0cDovL21lZGlhY2VudGVyLnR2ZXllcy5jb20vZG93bmxvYWRnYXRld2F5LmFzcHg%2FVXNlcklEPTQ0ODg4OCZNRElEPTE1Mjc2ODk3Jk1EU2VlZD00OTQ5JlR5cGU9TWVkaWE%3D

Preparations for Upcoming Flag Exhibition At Museum of the American Revolution (Media Coverage)
Publication: CBS-3
Date: 7/8/2021
Abstract: The installation of "Flags and Founding Documents" was covered by three Philadelphia area TV stations.
URL: https://mms.tveyes.com/MediaCenterPlayer.aspx?u=aHR0cDovL21lZGlhY2VudGVyLnR2ZXllcy5jb20vZG93bmxvYWRnYXRld2F5LmFzcHg%2FVXNlcklEPTQ0ODg4OCZNRElEPTE1MjMwODcwJk1EU2VlZD02NTE4JlR5cGU9TWVkaWE%3D

Kids get in for free at Museum of the American Revolution this Labor Day (Media Coverage)
Publication: Philly Voice
Date: 8/18/2021
Abstract: News story promoting free admission for children ages 12 and under at the Museum for Labor Day Weekend 2021 and the closing of "Flags & Founding Documents" exhibition.
URL: https://www.phillyvoice.com/labor-day-weekend-free-kids-admission-museum-american-revolution/

State Constitutions and Founding Documents (Media Coverage)
Publication: C-Span
Date: 7/14/2021
Abstract: The Museum hosted a discussion between exhibitions curator Matthew Skic and author James Hrdlicka about “Flags and Founding Documents.” Hrdlicka is the author of Colonists, Citizens, Constitutions: Creating the American Republic and helped curate part of the exhibition.
URL: https://www.c-span.org/video/?514090-1/state-constitutions-founding-documents

Associated Products

Flags and Founding Documents, 1776-Today (Exhibition)
Title: Flags and Founding Documents, 1776-Today
Curator: Matthew Skic
Abstract: The Museum's summer exhibition, "Flags and Founding Documents, 1776-Today," showcases dozens of rare American flags alongside historic early state constitutions and the first printing of the proposed U.S. Constitution of 1787.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: http://https://www.amrevmuseum.org/exhibits/flags-and-founding-documents-1776-today
Primary URL Description: The special exhibition landing page on the Museum of the American Revolution's website.

True Colours Flags Project (Web Resource)
Title: True Colours Flags Project
Author: Tyler Putnam
Abstract: Philadelphia seamstresses like Betsy Ross and Rebecca Flower Young supported the Revolutionary War by making the large flags flown by privateers and navy ships at sea. To highlight the global connections of the American Revolution, the Museum commissioned modern makers to create 14 large handmade flags replicating those that were flown by Revolutionary-era privateers and navy ships at sea. The Museum debuted the flags on Flag Day Weekend in conjunction with Flags and Founding Documents, 1776-Today, which features more than 40 rare American flags alongside historic documents. Onsite visitors interacted with the makers who recreated these early flags from countries like the United States, France, Britain, Spain, Portugal, and more, including handling the flags, trying their hand at sewing, and learning about historic textile work. Online visitors were able to follow the project’s progress and take a closer look behind the scenes through the Museum’s social media channels. An activity guide for families was created for True Colours highlighting flags in the Museum’s collection and flags on loan for the special exhibition, explaining how flags have been used as symbols for communication, and featuring fun activities. The colorful flags were on display in the Museum’s outdoor plaza from June 10-June 14 and again from June 28-July 5. The flags, which range in size from 7 x 10 ft., 5 x 7 ft, and 2 x 40 feet, are currently on display on the Museum’s in-gallery privateer ship, where they are used as storytelling tools to bring history to life for visitors of all ages.
Year: 2021
Primary URL: https://www.amrevmuseum.org/true-colours-flag-project
Primary URL Description: The Museum of the American Revolution's website. Digital project resources were distributed through the Museum's social media channels.

---