Where the Flag Flies Proudest: Where America was Born
This past Sunday was Flag Day and that got me to thinking. Since 1916 when Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation declaring June 14 as Flag Day, Americans have been proudly displaying and honoring our country’s symbol of freedom, democracy, and liberty.
What better way to honor the flag than to visit the very places that made it mean something? From the cobblestone streets of colonial Philadelphia to the shores of Normandy, France, join me for a four-part travel series exploring the most patriotic and historically significant destinations in the world. We’ll journey through them just the way history unfolded — starting at the very beginning.
Betsy Ross House
Located in Philadelphia’s Old City neighborhood, the Betsy Ross House is where the story of our flag may have been stitched together — quite literally. Legend has it that seamstress Betsy Ross sewed the very first American flag here in 1776, making this colonial home one of the most meaningful stops on any patriotic traveler’s list.
The house itself was built over 250 years ago, with the front portion constructed around 1740 and the stair hall and rear section added roughly 10 to 20 years later. Visitors can choose between a self-guided tour or an audio tour, and both options allow you to explore seven rooms including the kitchen, bedrooms, parlor, and the upholstery shop — where you might even catch a glimpse of Betsy herself stitching reproduction Colonial-era fabrics. Each room contains documents and artifacts that bring Betsy’s story to life.
Just around the corner from the house is Flagmaker’s Hall, a new exhibition space dedicated to the history, artistry, and legacy of the American flag. Admission to Flagmaker’s Hall is included with your Betsy Ross House ticket.
Self-guided tour tickets are approximately $15 for adults and $13 for children ages 6–12, seniors 65 and older, students, and military with ID. Audio tours are a couple of dollars more. It is worth noting that the house has three flights of stairs and is not wheelchair accessible.
The house is open for tours daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March through November, with extended hours until 6 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays in June and July. During the winter months, the house is closed on Tuesdays.
For more information about this destination, visit https://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house/
Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell
Our next stop is just a half mile away from the Betsy Ross House. Before heading to Independence Hall, make your first stop the Visitor Center, where you can pick up tickets, maps, and a seasonal schedule of events and programs. The center also offers Junior Ranger information and films that provide additional background on the signing of both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution — a great way to set the stage for what you are about to see.
From there, make your way to Independence Hall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that still retains most of its original woodwork and exterior brickwork. Tours take you into the Assembly Room, where delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies debated the formation of a national government before voting for independence. Just one month later, those same delegates returned to sign the Declaration of Independence. While you are in the room, keep an eye out for George Washington’s iconic “rising sun” chair, Thomas Jefferson’s walking stick, and a number of other original artifacts that make history feel remarkably close.
The tour also includes the Supreme Court Chamber, where the Pennsylvania Supreme Court once heard cases ranging from divorces to murders. Here you will find the “prisoner’s dock,” a railed, jail-like enclosure where the accused would stand during trial. The room also displays the original Pennsylvania Coat of Arms from 1785.
Independence Hall is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Self-guided tours are available on a first-come, first-served basis until 9:50 a.m., while guided tours led by knowledgeable park rangers begin at 10 a.m. Each tour requires a timed ticket and runs approximately 20 minutes. The last tour of the day departs at 4:20 p.m. and is expanded to include the second floor, though it is worth noting that this level is not accessible for those with mobility issues. Tickets are available at the Visitor Center and online for just $1.
Just steps away sits the Liberty Bell, one of the most enduring symbols of American freedom. Housed within Independence Hall National Historical Park, the bell bears an inscription that still resonates today: ‘Proclaim Liberty Throughout All the Land Unto All the Inhabitants Thereof.’ Originally known as the State House Bell, this 2,080-pound bronze bell rang in the tower of the Pennsylvania State House — now Independence Hall — for nearly 90 years before developing a crack in the early 1840s. A repair attempt in 1846 was unsuccessful, and a second crack soon followed, silencing the bell for good.
The Liberty Bell can be viewed daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and no tickets are required. Inside the Liberty Bell Center, exhibits trace the bell’s remarkable journey — from its forging to its powerful role as a symbol for abolitionists and civil rights advocates — lining the left side of the hallway as you walk through. While you are in the park, keep an eye and an ear out for two other bells: the Centennial Bell, cast for America’s 100th birthday in 1876, which rings every hour in the Independence Hall tower, and the Bicentennial Bell, a gift from Great Britain in 1976.
While in the area, there are several other notable sites worth adding to your itinerary. The West Wing of Independence Hall is connected to the main building by brick arches and is accessed through an exterior entrance. Inside, you will find original 18th century copies of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution, along with other artifacts on display. No tickets are required and entry is first-come, first-served.
Just nearby, The President’s House is a fascinating open-air site marking the location of the nation’s first executive mansion, where both George Washington and John Adams lived during their presidencies. Archaeological fragments unearthed at the site in 2007 are on display in a large glass case for visitors to examine up close.
Congress Hall served as home to the U.S. Congress from 1790 to 1800, during the years when Philadelphia was the nation’s capital. The House of Representatives met on the first floor while the Senate convened on the second floor. This historic building saw the establishment of the first bank, the Federal Mint, and the Department of the Navy, and was also the site of the presidential inaugurations of both George Washington and John Adams. Admission is free and the building is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with guided tours offered every 30 minutes from 10:15 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Just a short walk away is the National Constitution Center, a 160,000 square foot museum that brings the Constitution to life through high-tech exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays. Among its most prized possessions is one of only a dozen surviving copies of the original Bill of Rights. This year, in honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary, two new galleries are opening that highlight America’s founding and the separation of powers, including a rare copy of the U.S. Constitution — one of only 14 known original copies in existence. While you are there, be sure to catch ‘Freedom Rising,’ an impressive 360-degree live theatrical production, and stop into Signers’ Hall to get your photo with one of the 42 life-size bronze statues of the Founding Fathers. The Center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are $24.95 for adults and $19.95 for seniors, veterans, college students, and youth ages 6–18. Purchase your tickets online in advance and save $5 per ticket.
Carpenters’ Hall hosted the First Continental Congress in 1774 and was also home to Benjamin Franklin’s Library Company, the American Philosophical Society, and the First and Second Banks of the United States. Admission is free and the hall is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is closed on Mondays, and in January and February it is also closed on Tuesdays.
The American Philosophical Society is the oldest learned society in the United States, founded by Benjamin Franklin in 1743. Its remarkable collection includes 2.5 miles of manuscript pages and approximately one million rare books, prints, photographs, paintings, scientific instruments, Native American language recordings, and other rare artifacts. Each year the museum rotates its exhibit to highlight a different themed collection from the Society’s library. This year’s exhibit, entitled ‘These Truths: The Declaration of Independence,’ features imaginative programs that interpret the historical themes and objects on display, encouraging visitors to draw connections between history and the present day. The museum is open Thursdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., April through December, with Wednesday hours added from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Admission is free, though a suggested donation of $5 per person is appreciated. Entry is first-come, first-served, and since only 40 visitors are allowed inside at a time, some wait times should be expected.
For additional information about any of these sites, please visit the following websites:
constitutioncenter.org
www.amphilsoc.org/visit-museum
Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
From Philadelphia, we make our way to Baltimore, Maryland, and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. Built in the late 1700s, this historic home was owned by Mary Pickersgill, a skilled seamstress who supported her family through her flag-making business. In the summer of 1813, Mary was commissioned to sew a garrison flag and a smaller storm flag for nearby Fort McHenry. Working alongside her mother, daughter, nieces, and servants, Mary and her team completed the task in just six weeks. The finished flag was so large that it took nine men to hoist it over the fort — in fact, at 30 feet high by 42 feet wide, it was the largest garrison flag ever flown. It was this very flag that inspired Francis Scott Key in September 1814 to write the words that would eventually become our national anthem.
The house is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and military, and $7 for students. Children under 6 are free. All tours are self-guided, with an audio tour available. Please note that while most of the house is accessible for those with mobility issues, some areas are not.
For more information, visit flaghouse.org.
Fort McHenry
Just a few miles from the Flag House sits Fort McHenry, the first fort commissioned by the U.S. Government and the site where the British attempted to seize Baltimore during the War of 1812. It was here that Francis Scott Key was inspired to write ‘The Defense of Fort McHenry,’ a poem whose words were later set to music and officially became our national anthem in 1931.
Before exploring the grounds, make your first stop the Visitor and Education Center, where you can tour an introductory museum and watch a 10-minute orientation film that plays every 30 minutes. Park rangers are on hand to share their knowledge of the fort’s history, and a park bookstore offers a wonderful selection of books and souvenirs to browse.
Fort McHenry has something for everyone. Walking, running, and biking paths encircle the fort and follow the water’s edge, offering beautiful scenic views along the way. Visitors can even take a turn raising a replica of the original Star-Spangled Banner — a truly memorable experience. Throughout the fort, history comes alive through re-enactments, flag talks, ranger programs, and living history demonstrations. There is so much to see and do that you could easily spend an entire day here, though plan to allot at least one hour at minimum to take it all in.
Fort McHenry is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with extended hours during the summer months. The grounds are free to enjoy, however there is a $15 fee for visitors ages 16 and older to access the Star Fort, where many of the immersive programs are held. All tours are self-guided.
For more information, visit www.nps.gov/fomc/index.htm.
A Nation’s Story, Just Beginning
From the humble row house where the first flag may have been sewn to the fort that inspired our national anthem, these four sites tell the remarkable story of how a young nation found its voice, its symbols, and its identity. I hope this first stop on our patriotic journey has inspired you to add some of these incredible sites to your travel bucket list — Philadelphia and Baltimore alone could keep a history lover busy for days! But we are just getting started. In Part 2, we will pick up where history left us, traveling to some of the most hallowed and defining grounds in America — places where the nation was tested, torn apart, and ultimately proven stronger for it. You won’t want to miss it!