The USA Flags Collection

The USA Flags Collection | Ultimate Flags Store is a potent symbol of American patriotism. It represents a nation that is continually coming together as one and its red, white and blue colors symbolize freedom, hope and justice. The tattered state of this particular example of Old Glory speaks to the difficult times we’ve endured in our country’s history, and it is a reminder that we must continue to work together in order to preserve and protect our democracy.

For more than 200 years, the NMAAHC has collected American flags and worked to preserve them so that the story of our nation’s growth can be shared with future generations.

Displaying Pride: USA Flags Collection

The museum’s collection of historical and current flags includes a remarkable array of sizes, shapes and materials. These include the renowned 1814 garrison flag that survived the bombardment of Fort McHenry and inspired Francis Scott Key’s “The Star-Spangled Banner”; the first embroidered American flag, a reversible cotton flag from 1789 that is remarkably well-preserved; and the rare 13-star U.S. flag that features a four-five-four star pattern—a coveted item for collectors, as few of these historic flags survive in private hands.

A number of our exhibitions have also highlighted the role that American flags play in our daily lives. For instance, in our “Reckoning” exhibition, artist Jean-Michel Basquiat used composition notebook paper as the canvas for his awe-inspiring flag works—a poignant symbol of the tumultuous, unfinished nature of America’s identity. The same is true of a scrimshaw carving on a whale’s tooth in our “Our Flag” exhibition, which is thought to have belonged to a slave who served as a sailor in the Civil War. The scrimshaw’s depiction of an embroidered American flag—a subtle reference to the national heritage embodied by our flag—reminds us of the continuing need to celebrate and defend our constitutional liberties.