Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
30 Years of Telling 300 Years of America’s Stories.
Heavens to Betsy: Selling an American Icon
Learn how an idealized version of Betsy Ross has sprung from American culture through this kitsch despite there being no surviving image of Ross herself.
History of Franklin Square
Throughout the centuries, the park has been used for a wide - and colorful - variety of different purposes.
Historic illustration of the Franklin Square fountain when it was originally installed
The History of the Parx Liberty Carousel in Franklin Square
A ride on the Parx Liberty Carousel is really a ride through a rich but relatively unknown part of Philadelphia’s past.
Two horses make up just some of the characters you can ride on the Franklin Square carousel
Flag Day
Circle June 14 on your calendar. That’s the anniversary when the 1777 Second Continental Congress officially adopted the Stars and Stripes as our nation’s flag.
A parade marches in front of the Betsy Ross House in honor of flag day circa 1937
How the Betsy Ross House Was Saved
In the late 19th century, many Colonial-era buildings were being torn down. A group of citizens realized the house was in danger and took it upon themselves to save it from destruction.
Did She or Didn’t She?
There has been some debate about whether Betsy did or didn’t sew those first Stars and Stripes. So let’s take a look at what we really know.
A History Maker portraying Betsy Ross poses with an early version of the US flag