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Enhance your visit with an English language Audio Tour, chock-full of fun facts and behind-the-scenes info from the curator. Share the heartbreak of her widowhood and her struggle to survive as a single, working mother. And get the latest historic research about her role in the Revolutionary War and the ongoing debate about Betsy and the first flag. Betsy Griscom Ross Ashburn Claypool ultimately lost three husbands (two during the war), but unlike many widows who were left without resources, her skills as a seamstress enabled her to support herself and her seven children.
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It’s the only interpretation of an 18th century upholstery room in the United States. And true or not, the legend has persisted for more than a century. The early design for the American flag is still known as the Betsy Ross Flag. It’s certainly plausible to argue that Betsy created the flag based on an interpretation of the available evidence. Betsy is most acclaimed for for creating the first American flag, a symbol of unity and freedom that endures today.
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Family treasures throughout the Betsy Ross House include her family bible (restored in 2019), her eyeglasses and more. Changing exhibits in the gallery offer interesting peeks into rarely seen corners of colonial life. Wander through the tiny rooms and tight staircases of the circa-1740 residence on a self-guided tour, then talk to Betsy herself about her role in the American Revolution and her fascinating work and life.
Meet the historic seamstress and learn about her role in creating the American flag...
The day includes magic, puppet shows, circus acts, old-timey carnival games and more. After John's death due to a long illness in 1817, Betsy continued to run her upholstery business. She finally retired at the age of 76, moved to her daughter's farm, and died in her sleep in 1836 at 84 years old. Over the course of her lifetime, she sewed hundreds of flags. Sometimes she had to keep this activity “under wraps” to avoid undue scrutiny from loyalists.
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The courtyard, featuring Betsy Ross’s grave has seating, and the museum store, exhibition gallery and a first-floor restroom are all accessible. Celebrate the 271st anniversary of the birth of America’s most famous flag maker with a day of storytelling, crafts and, of course, cake. In order to fully understand the complexity behind her story, it is important to lay out some key facts. First, Betsy Ross was not the only flag-maker or upholsterer in Philadelphia.
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All species of pets are invited to this free parade and the judging panel consists of local celebrities (including Betsy Ross, obviously). Meet historic figures from Colonial Philadelphia’s Black community and learn about the 18th-century Black experience during this storytelling series. Black History Month programming at the Betsy Ross House is free to attend. The Betsy Ross House celebrates the 271st anniversary of Betsy herself with a day of stories, crafts and lots of cake. The party is free to attend and you can keep an eye on the official website for more details.
What You’ll See at the Betsy Ross House
There is no proof that her husband John was also an upholsterer, though he advertised that he was. It’s possible that Betsy simply used his name to conduct business. They made curtains, blinds, tablecloths, slipcovers, and bed linens.
Tradition tells that General George Washington and two members of the congressional committee visited Mrs. Ross in 1776. She convinced Washington to change the shape of the stars in a sketch of a flag he showed her from six-pointed to five-pointed by demonstrating that it was easier to cut the shape of the five-pointed star. Ross made flags for the Pennsylvania navy during the time of the American Revolution and was an avid flag-maker for over 50 years. At the time of Canby’s oration, there was a renewed, nation-wide passion for patriotism (due to the end of the Civil War and upcoming Centennial celebration).
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Located at 239 Arch Street, the Betsy Ross House stands stately among the high-rises and modern buildings of Philadelphia. This 270-year-old home is believed to be the site of Ross’s upholstery business from 1776 to 1779, and is generally recognized as the place where the nation’s first flag was sewed. The property was converted into a museum and living history exhibit in 1898—thanks to the efforts of Charles Weisberger and the Betsy Ross Memorial Association—and has been in operation ever since. The museum showcases six rooms, restored to their 18th-century appearance, that detail the life of Betsy Ross and her contributions to American history. An annual tradition, Flag Festival 2024 celebrates National Flag Week with a week full of free family programming.
In 1777, Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes as the official flag. Kent then purchased the two adjacent properties to develop a "civic garden." In 1941, the entire property, including the historic house and courtyard, were given to the city of Philadelphia. In 1965, an annex building was added to the property, and in 1974 the courtyard was renovated and a fountain added. Over the years, various structural changes and general wear and tear left the house in dire need of restoration. Atwater Kent offered up to $25,000 for the restoration of the house and commissioned historical architect Richardson Brognard Okie to do the work.
It is purported to be the site where the seamstress and flag-maker Betsy Ross (1752–1836) lived when she is said to have sewed the first American flag. Pets of all kinds are invited to arrive in their most patriotic paraphernalia to compete for prizes awarded by local celebrity judges including Betsy Ross, of course. BYOB and snacks and enjoy a campy flick in the courtyard. Special after-hours House tours are included with admission. Meet prominent members of Colonial Philadelphia’s free Black community each Saturday of the month and on Sundays, Once Upon A Nation Storytellers share short tales highlighting the Black experience in 18th century Philadelphia. (You can see a large replica of the painting in the orientation gallery).
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Ross died at the age of 84 in 1836, 60 years after sewing the first American flag. In fact, during the winter of 1777, Betsy’s home was forcibly shared with British soldiers occupying Philadelphia, a possible reason why no “paper trail” of her creating the flag exists. The Betsy Ross House is located at 239 Arch Street in Philadelphia’s Old City, just a few steps away from Christ Church, where Betsy Ross worshipped, and also where she married her third husband, John Claypoole.
On May 8, 1783, Ross married for the third and final time to John Claypoole, one of Ashburn’s fellow inmates at Old Mill who had been released after The Treaty of Paris. The two had five daughters over the course of their 34-year marriage and were active members of the Society of Free Quakers. Betsy continued to work as a seamstress and sewed flags for the United States Army during the War of 1812. On June 15, 1777, Betsy married Captain Joseph Ashburn, a privateer for the US Navy.
She faces the condemnation of her Quaker community for marrying outside her religion. The program continues in the House with a special love-themed tour and a delicious, handcrafted “love potion” cocktail. Celebrate the 250th anniversary of John and Betsy Ross’s November 1773 marriage with this special program. Guests will hear a love story for the ages when they meet a young Betsy just after her elopement with husband John.
The legend of Betsy Ross didn’t come to fruition until after the Civil War. In 1870, William Canby—Ross’s grandson—delivered a speech to the Pennsylvania Historic Society, during which he claimed that Washington approached Betsy in May 1776 to sew the nation’s first official flag. Canby’s tale was an oral history that had been passed down through the generations of Betsy’s family, and this was the first time it had even been publicized. While there was little physical evidence to support the claim, Canby produced official statements from elderly members of his family validating its authenticity. Some scholars expressed great enthusiasm at the prospect of a young, patriotic, female role model who made significant contributions to the American cause. Others approached Canby’s story with skepticism, citing the lack of evidence and potential manipulation of oral history.
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