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

Welcome to the Betsy Ross House

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, July 5, 2008

1. Welcome to the Betsy Ross House Marker

Inscription.
Betsy Ross (1752 - 1836) lived and worked here on Arch Street during the American Revolution. The house where she boarded with the elderly Widow Lithgow has been restored to early 1777.

In 1776 Betsy Ross lost her husband John. The young widow worked as an upholsterer, but when war came, she turned to making naval colors. In early 1777 she sewed the first Stars and Stripes for the naval vessels defending Philadelphia.

The Stars and Stripes are an important symbol of America, and the Betsy Ross story has become an enduring part of American memory. As our nation develops and changes, so do the meanings of the American flag and the story of its first maker.

Erected by Betsy Ross Museum.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1777.

Location. 39° 57.135′ N, 75° 8.686′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker can be reached from Arch Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is just inside the courtyard to the entrance to the Betsy Ross Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 239 Arch St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other

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markers are within walking distance of this marker. Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Betsy Ross (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Betsy Ross (a few steps from this marker); Betsy Ross House (a few steps from this marker); The historical value of 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 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 . . . Betsy Ross at FindAGrave.com. (Submitted on July 21, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, July 25, 2017

2. Welcome to the Betsy Ross House Marker

Photographed By Carolyn Martienssen, June 27, 2015

3. Welcome to the Betsy Ross House Marker

The Betsy Ross House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, July 5, 2008

4. The Betsy Ross House

<i>Betsy Ross House, Philadelphia</i> image. Click for full size.

Postcard by the Detroit Publishing Company, 1900

5. Betsy Ross House, Philadelphia

Image courtesy of Yale Collection of Western Americana, Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,110 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on November 20, 2022, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia. Photos: 1. submitted on July 19, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on July 26, 2017, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3. submitted on August 16, 2015, by Carolyn Martienssen of West Hazleton, Pennsylvania. 4. submitted on July 19, 2008, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 5. submitted on August 26, 2015.