The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House

05/27/2026

If you’re in the Frederick/Thurmont area tomorrow night and have a spare evening, consider coming out to the Thurmont Regional Library. We are proud to be the first in a great line of speakers in this 250th speakers series hosted by the Thurmont Historical Society!

05/25/2026

04/23/2026

The Flag House's 250th exhibit is coming along! Yesterday artists participating in the upcoming Semiquincentennial exhibit took another ride upon the Pride of Baltimore II where they experienced historical engagement and storytelling by recreating the experience of Francis Scott Key. A MAJOR thank you goes out to the staff and crew of the Pride of Baltimore II and the rangers of Fort McHenry for all their work in making this experience a reality.

04/08/2026

Psssst!!! Just wanted to leave this here as we make steady advancement toward our 250th exhibit opening. Share with all your friends and neighbors to get them excited!

04/04/2026

Blossoms bloom .mchenry and we’re here tabling for the Flag House! Stop by and say hi!

03/17/2026

On this day in Women's History Month, the Flag House wants to recognize and uplift Mary Ann Martin, Irish immigrant who was indentured to Mary Pickersgill in 1814 for a period of three years. During this time, Mary Ann would "learn the art and mystery of a Seamtress and housewifery, also reading and writing." Little is known about Mary Ann's life inside and outside the Pickersgill residence, but the existence of her indenture record preserves her legacy in the everyday life of a family who sewed their way into our national memory. 🍀

03/03/2026

Once again it it Women's History month!

We want to start out by highlighting our site's most famous individual, Mary Pickersgill. Mary just celebrater her 250th birthday on February 12th with a large party here at the museum. The day was full of educational activities, highlights of Mary's legacy, tasty food, and dancing. A quick highlight reel commemorates all the excitement from that day!

Mary Pickersgill sewed her way into our national story and has created a legacy of national and community service still on display.

02/26/2026

As we wrap up Black History Month, we would be remiss and doing our community a disservice if we didn't highlight the contributions of Grace Wisher, free-born African American girl indentured into Mary's service by her mother Jenny to teach her "the art and mystery of Housework and plain sewing." Due to the all-hands-on-deck nature of Mary's commission to sew the garrison and storm flag for Fort McHenry over a two month period, most likely Grace contributed to the completion of the flag.

02/12/2026

Today is the day! 250 years ago the Young family bible records the birth of Mary Young at 10 o'clock PM. Happy Birthday Mary Young Pickersgill!

Mary will eventually sew her way into our national story by making the flag which inspired our national anthem alongside her helpers: mother Rebecca Young, daughter Caroline Purdy, indentured free born African-American Grace Wisher, nieces Margaret Young Sanderson and Eliza Young Parrish, and other unnamed individuals.

02/07/2026

We are less than one week away from celebrating Mary's 250th birthday here at the Flag House! A big thank you to everyone who has already purchased their ticket or made a donation helping to support and celebrate with us.

If you haven't purchased a ticket yet, there is still time. Use the below QR code, mail a check, or follow the link here to reserve your spot!

Link to purchase tickets: https://tinyurl.com/yfwu6zk4

Looking for help registering? Call 410-837-1793 or email [email protected].