The "Flag Day: Lancaster's Vintage Flag" Story

The Stars & Stripes proudly flies over my
home in Manheim Township, Lancaster, PA.

It was an ordinary day.  June 14 and Lancaster, as well as the entire nation, is celebrating Flag Day.  For all states, except Pennsylvania, Flag Day is just a  holiday, while for the state of Pennsylvania, it is a legal holiday according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.  It all began back in 1893 when Benjamin Franklin's great-grand-daughter, Elizabeth Duane Gillespie, the President of the Colonial Dames of Pennsylvania tried to get Philadelphia to call June 14 Flag Day.  It was not until May 7, 1937 that Pennsylvania became the first state to establish the holiday.  Today's modern American flag was designed by a 17-year-old high school student, Robert G. Heft, of Lancaster, Ohio, who submitted his design in a contest in 1958.  Over 1,500 submissions were presented to President Dwight D. Eisenhower who made the choice for the flag.  It was back on June 14, 1777 that the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the nation's official banner.  That flag had thirteen stripes, one for each state, alternating red and white colors.  There was a white field in the upper left corner that had thirteen stars, representing a new constellation.   In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Lancaster County Historical Society has a flag from 1861.  

The 1861 flag that is the oldest in the collection of flags at the
Lancaster County Historical Social. Photo from Historical Society.

It is the oldest flag in their collection at their head- quarters at 230 N. President Ave., directly next to Wheatland, home to former U.S. President James Buchanan.  The flag was first owned by John Roberts, chief engineer of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service.  The Revenue Cutter Service was the forerunner of the U.S. Coast Guard.  About the only fact that is known about Mr. Roberts is that he lived in either Maryland or Virginia.  How the Historical Society obtained the flag is not known.  The 1861 flag has 34 stars, representing the number of states in the union at the time.  It is 27 1/2 inches by 25 inches in size and is made of either wool or linen and has the edges of the flag turned under, then sewed to prevent fraying.  A few holes in the flag have been repaired and some of the stars have been replaced, but it is not known when the repairs were made.  As for Carol and myself, we proudly fly our flag at our home in Lancaster on Flag Day as well as most other days of the year.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

PS - As I was about to post this story this morning, the morning newspaper was delivered to my home.  As I opened it I found that the flag that I had posted a story about yesterday  had been bid on and won by The Atlanta History Center for $196,800.  It was the center's largest purchase for an artifact.  Congratulations to the Center and for purchasing the only remaining flag that was hand painted by David Bustill Bowser, the son of a fugitive slave. Check out yesterday's story for more on this historical flag.