Object Details

Associated Name

Appleton, Eben

Key, Francis Scott

maker

Pickersgill, Mary

Description

Physical Description

Three wool bunting fragments with raveled edges.

Specific History

These three fragments were cut from the flag that flew from Fort McHenry in 1814. This was the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. In 1880 the fragments were presented to William Carter by Eben Appleton, the grandson of the commander of Fort McHenry. Carter, a local historian, carried the Star Spangled Banner in a parade during Baltimore’s Sesquicentennial Celebration on 13 October 1880. As the flag was being packed for shipment to New York, Appleton cut three pieces and gave them to Carter. Carter’s daughter gave them to the Maryland Historical Society who donated them to the Smithsonian.

Credit Line

Maryland Historical Society

date made

1814

associated date

1880 - 1889

ID Number

AF.35573

catalog number

35573

accession number

93535

Object Name

fragments, flag

Flag Fragments, Batch of

Other Terms

fragments, flag; Sheets of Paper, Set of; Documents

Flag Fragments, Batch of; National

Physical Description

wool (overall material)

Measurements

overall: 190 mm x 70 mm; 7 1/2 in x 2 3/4 in

place made

United States: Maryland, Baltimore

used in

United States: Maryland, Baltimore

See more items in

Military and Society: Armed Forces History, Military

Military

ThinkFinity

Exhibition

Price of Freedom

Exhibition Location

National Museum of American History

Data Source

National Museum of American History

Subject

Flags

related event

War of 1812

Expansion and Reform

Metadata Usage

CC0

GUID (Link to Original Record)

https://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a2-dd07-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record ID

nmah_444025