Built in 1793, the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House was the home and place of business of Mary Young Pickersgill, maker of the flag that inspired Francis Scott Key’s famous poem that later became our national anthem. Mary and her daughter Caroline moved into the house in 1807, along with Mary’s mother, Rebecca Young, who began the flag-making business in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War. In 1927, the house was purchased by the City of Baltimore and the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Association established a museum inside the historic home. The historic Flag House was named a National Historic Landmark in 1970.

Today, visitors encounter the interior of the Flag House restored to an approximate 1813 appearance. The house is filled with original early 19th century objects, many of them possessions of the Young-Pickersgill family. Throughout their professionally guided tour, visitors explore aspects of business and daily life in the Flag House by interacting with a variety of objects and the stories of the individuals who lived alongside Mary during the making of the Star-Spangled Banner Flag.

In 2003, the Hofmeister Museum Building was opened to provide a space for a welcome desk, gift shop, orientation theater, exhibition galleries, and administrative offices. A magnificent feature of the Hofmeister Museum Building is the two-story Great Flag Window, the same size, and design of the original 30 ft. x 42 ft. Star-Spangled Banner.

Located on the first floor of the Hofmeister Museum Building is the permanent exhibition, Family of Flagmakers: The Women Who Created the Star-Spangled Banner. Family of Flagmakers is the first exhibit devoted to the life and career of Mary Pickersgill. The exhibit showcases period and personal family objects, including the original receipt for the Star-Spangled Banner, on public view for the first time in decades. Visitors are treated to interactives and archeological objects that highlight the history of the historic Flag House from the late 18th century until today.

There’s plenty to see and do for our youngest visitors in the Discovery Gallery, also located on the first floor of the Hofmeister Museum Building. Little ones can cook at a replica of the Flag House hearth, design their own flag, tell a story at the puppet stage, or dress in period clothes.

Local

Eat and Drink

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See and Do

• Star-Spangled Banner Flag House Baltimore (0.0 miles) - Built in 1793, the Star-Spangled Banner Flag House was the home and place of business of Mary Young ...
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• Verde Baltimore (1.1 miles) - Located in the popular neighborhood of Canton in Baltimore City, Verde is casual, upscale, full-serv...

Shopping

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