Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Betsy Ross

(1752-1836)

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 25, 2015

1. Betsy Ross Marker

Inscription. Credited with making the first stars and stripes flag, Ross was a successful upholsterer. She produced flags for the government for over 50 years. As a skilled artisan, Ross represents the many women who supported their families during the Revolution and early Republic.

Erected 2009 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary • Women. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list.

Location. 39° 57.136′ N, 75° 8.684′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker is on Arch Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Betsy Ross House (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Betsy Ross (here, next to this marker); Betsy Ross House (a few steps from this marker); The historical value of Betsy Ross (a few steps

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from this marker); a different marker also named Betsy Ross (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Betsy Ross (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to the Betsy Ross House (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Also see . . .
1. Betsy Ross - USFlag.org. (Submitted on May 6, 2015, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
2. MarkerQuest - Betsy Ross. (Submitted on August 10, 2023, by Laura Klotz of Northampton, Pennsylvania.)

Additional commentary.
1. Betsy Ross Historical Marker
Although tradition credits Betsy Ross with making the first Stars and Stripes flag, an abundance of recent information has changed the narrative of the U.S. flag's origin. Mrs. Ross made "ship's colours" for the Pennsylvania navy during the Revolution. Those "colours" included: (1) a blue ensign with 7 red stripes and 6 white stripes in the flag's upper-left-hand corner; (2) a long, narrow red commissioning pennant with 13 vertical stripes at the hoist; and (3) a short, narrow red pennant. The famous Ross story is based on uncorroborated Ross family

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

2. Betsy Ross Marker

oral history that did not surface until a century after the Revolution. For more details, see the Wikipedia article on Betsy Ross.

Incidentally, U.S. Continental Congressman Francis Hopkinson of New Jersey designed two Stars and Stripes flags: (1) one for the United States with 7 white stripes and 6 red ones and (2) one for the U.S. Navy with the opposite — 7 red stripes and 6 white ones for better visibility at sea. Ironically, Hopkinson's naval flag became the preferred National flag.

Congress adopted the Continental Marine Committee's resolution establishing the Stars and Stripes as the National flag on June 14, 1777 — celebrated as Flag Day. The Marine Committee oversaw maritime affairs. Hopkinson was a member of the Marine Committee in the Fall of 1776 but stepped down from it to run the Navy as Chairman of the Continental Navy Board in Philadelphia. The Navy Board was under the Marine Committee. Hopkinson was running the Navy on June 14, 1777. For further details, see the following Wikipedia articles:

1. Francis Hopkinson, "Flag Controversy" section and subsequent sections.

2. Flag of the United States, "Designer of the First Stars and Stripes" section.

Yours sincerely, Earl P. Williams,Jr., U.S. flag historian (paleovexillologist) Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor

Betsy Ross Courtyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 25, 2015

3. Betsy Ross Courtyard

— Submitted January 26, 2019.

Betsy Ross House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, April 25, 2015

4. Betsy Ross House

Betsy Ross Marker & Betsy Ross House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Howard C. Ohlhous, September 22, 2018

5. Betsy Ross Marker & Betsy Ross House

Betsy Ross with her flag image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

6. Betsy Ross with her flag

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 4, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 799 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on May 4, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on July 25, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4. submitted on May 4, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 5. submitted on January 16, 2020, by Howard C. Ohlhous of Duanesburg, New York. 6. submitted on July 25, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.