Legal Name: The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Association Inc.
Built in 1793, the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House was the home and place of business of Mary Pickersgill, maker of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key’s famous poem that later became our national anthem. Mary and her daughter Caroline moved into the house in 1807, along with Mary’s mother, Rebecca Young, who began the flag-making business in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War.
In 1927, the house was purchased by the City of Baltimore and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Association established a museum inside the historic home. It was established as a National Historic Landmark in 1970.
Today, visitors encounter the interior of the Flag House restored to an 1813 appearance. The house is filled with original early 19th century objects, many of them possessions of the Young-Pickersgill family. Throughout their professionally guided tour, visitors explore aspects of business and daily life in the Flag House by interacting with a variety of objects and the stories of the individuals who lived alongside Mary during the making of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag.
JEAN AND LILLIAN HOFMEISTER MUSEUM BUILDING
In 2003, the Hofmeister Museum Building was opened to provide a space for a welcome desk, gift shop, orientation theater, exhibition galleries, and administrative offices. A magnificent feature of the Hofmeister Museum Building is the two-story Great Flag Window, the same size and design of the original 30 ft. x 42 ft. Star-Spangled Banner. This amazing façade is one of Baltimore’s newest icons.
Located on the first floor of the Hofmeister Museum Building is the permanent exhibition, Family of Flagmakers: The Women Who Created the Star-Spangled Banner. Family of Flagmakers is the first exhibit devoted to the life and career of Mary Pickersgill. The exhibit showcases period and personal family objects, including the original receipt for the Star-Spangled Banner, on public view for the first time in decades. Visitors are treated to interactives and archeological objects that highlight the history of the historic Flag House from the late 18th century until today.
There’s plenty to see and do for our youngest visitors in the Discovery Gallery, also located on the first floor of the Hofmeister Museum Building. Little ones can cook at a replica of the Flag House kitchen, design their own flag, tell a story at the puppet stage, or dress in period clothes.
ORIGINAL MUSEUM BUILDING
Located between the historic house and the Hofmeister Museum Building, this 1950’s structure was vacated in 2003 with the opening of the Hofmeister Museum Building. As part of the Flag House Improvement project the original museum building underwent a full renovation and was renamed the Maryland House Educational Resource Center. When visiting for a field trip children are engaged in a classroom atmosphere to learn about life and childhood in 1813.
ATTENDANCE
In FY15, the Flag House attracted nearly 10,000 visitors. Approximately 55% of these visitors were from Maryland and the remaining 45% came from outside the state, including numerous foreign countries.
School-aged children make up over 66% of the museum’s visitors. Students come from public and private schools throughout the region, as well as, home-school programs. School groups receive a discount on admissions. Through partnerships with private funders, the Flag House provides free admission and school bus reimbursement for Title I schools.
ON-GOING PUBLIC PROGRAMS
School Programs
The Flag House’s school programs meet Maryland State Department of Education standards and indicators for social studies. The museum offers a variety of themed programs and tours, such as Young Patriots, Stars and Stripes, Freedom Tour and Living in 1812. Many of the tours can be supplemented with hands-on learning activities.
Scout Programs
Accommodating troops of all ranks, The Flag House offers these badge-earning programs to both Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts looking to explore patriotism and early American history. Brownies and Girl Scouts can learn the history of the U.S. flag, hike to Ft. McHenry, practice early 19th century manners with a tea party or even discuss the stories of important women who contributed to our history. Cub Scouts can complete badge requirements in special activities covering patriotism, flag etiquette and American history.
Period Cooking
Starting in Fall 2015, the Flag House reinstated the annual period cooking demonstration. In partnership with the historic Riversdale Kitchen Guild and local farms the Flag House prepares food common in the Chesapeake region during the early 19th century. Interpreters and staff welcome visitors into the home to experience domestic life in 1813.
Awards and Signature Events
The Mary Pickersgill Award for Women’s Leadership in Business
Begun in 2012, the Mary Pickersfill Award has become one of the Flag House’s signature events. Each year the award honors a woman who is a leader and a credit to her community much like Mary Pickersgill was in 1813 and exemplifies innovation in her chosen field and has the power to inspire others.
Each year on June 14th the Flag House celebrates Flag Day with a public program. In 2012 the museum hosted the National 9/11 Flag. The 2014 program, #TheFlagICarried was inspired by board member Matthew Eversmann. Mr. Eversmann’s heroic efforts in Somlia in 1993 during the Battle of Mogadishu provided the inspiration for the book and film, Black Hawk Down. Mr. Eversmann carried an American Flag during his deployment and on Flag Day 2014 the Flag House will honor veterans and the flags they have carried with them into battle. The 2015, Flag Day program welcomed local families, donors, and members to a fun filled day of activities and the presentation of the Flag House Scholar Award.
The Flag House Scholarship Award and Essay Contest
Open for submissions to high school seniors, the Flag House Scholarship Award selects a winning essay to be read during the Flag Day program. The winner receives a scholarship of $1,812, generously provided by the Daughters of the War of 1812.
WAR OF 1812 BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
The Battle of Baltimore was a decisive victory that renewed the hopes of a demoralized young nation. The Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission has planned spectacular events and an educational initiative to commemorate Maryland's unique contributions to the defense and heritage of the United States. The Flag House is located on the new, federally designated Star-Spangled Banner Trail (similar to the Freedom Trail in Boston) and has played a major role in the Bicentennial Celebration.
UPDATES AND MILESTONES IN 2015
The Board of Directors completed 80% of their FY15 goals. The Flag House secured funding for new security cameras, realized 115 essay submissions for the Flag House Scholar Award, and awarded the Mary Pickersgill Award to Dr. Carla Hayden, CEO of the Enoch Pratt Library, extended off-site outreach to six sites that provided hands-on youth and adult education, hosted 1,000 individual visitors during the Star-Spangled Spectacular in September, 2014, participated in our fifth year of SuperKids camp through the generous support of Parks and People, and launched a new website in April, 2015. Grants awarded in 2015: American Alliance of Museums Museum Assessment Program for Collections Stewardship, provides up to $6,000 of in-kind services and materials to support small museums. $20,000 restricted donation for flagpole refurbishment from the Children of the American Revolution. Baltimore National Heritage Area Operating Grant that will support marketing materials, tour sponsorship for underserved schools in Baltimore City and County, off-site outreach, and staff development for FY16 – FY17. $6,500 in restricted project funding from the William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund for administrative technology upgrades. $3,500 from the Daughters of 1812 in support of the Flag House Scholar Award and purchase of new collection management software.
Flag House Quick Stats:
How many years have you been in operation? We have been a museum since 1927, 88 years. HowmanypeopleareonyourBoardofDirectors? 30
How many people visit your site per year? We serve around 10,000 visitors each year and hope to increase that number by assisting additional staff and exhibits.
Who do you serve? In FY15 of our paid visitors, 20% were adults, 60% were students, 5% military and 15% seniors.
Who are your largest funders? Baltimore County, Whiting-Turner Contracting, Middendorf Foundation, Ensign C. Markland Kelly Foundation, Laverna Hahn Charitable Trust, and the Babylon Foundation, William G. Baker, Jr. Memorial Fund, Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation, Associated Jewish Charities, Macht Family Foundation.
For more information, visit: http://www.flaghouse.org/
