BALTIMORE — Nestled at the intersection of South Albemarle and East Pratt streets in Downtown Baltimore, a modest building captures a significant chapter of American history.
The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House and Museum was once the residence and workplace of Mary Pickersgill, the talented seamstress responsible for crafting the flag that flew over Fort McHenry, ultimately inspiring the United States national anthem. At just 37 years old, Pickersgill was the only female business owner in Baltimore during that era when she undertook this monumental task.
Christopher Sniezek, the museum’s director, highlighted that the creation of the flag was a collaborative effort.
Baltimore’s Star-Spangled Banner Flag House is celebrating America’s 250th anniversary with a new exhibit opening this summer
Baltimore’s Flag House commemorates America’s 250th birthday
“It wasn’t solely Mary who crafted this flag. A collective of women and girls, most aged between 10 and 15, contributed to its creation. We estimate that the flag took about six to eight weeks to complete, finishing in August of 1813,” Sniezek elaborated.
Sniezek emphasized that the historic site, where Pickersgill lived and worked from 1805 to 1815, is an ideal venue to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“Mary Pickersgill was born in 1776, the very year that our nation declared its independence. Not only is she the woman behind the inspiration for our national anthem, but she is also a true daughter of the American Revolution. Therefore, this 250th anniversary is a perfect opportunity to commemorate it here by exploring the origins of the national anthem and the flag that inspired it,” he stated.
This summer, the museum will launch a special exhibit titled Maryland’s America, showcasing works from eight talented artists from the state. This exhibit will be available for viewing from summer through July 2028.
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been adapted to this platform with the help of AI technology. Our editorial team reviews all content across platforms to ensure fairness and accuracy.
