The Landrum Garden Club recently sponsored one of the most unusual flags in our nation’s history at the House of Flags Museum in Columbus. Among nearly 300 authentic replica flags is one unique flag design presented to Congress in 1817 by Captain Samuel Chester Reid – the Great National Standard – to be hoisted over the halls of Congress, at our Navy yards and arsenals and other public places visited by the President of the United States during his presence. This would have been the very first “President’s Flag” in the United States. Unfortunately, this unique flag design was not acted upon by Congress and has been dormant until it was reproduced from an 1850 sketch by the House of Flags Museum for their Presidential Flags display.
Captain Samuel C. Reid is also responsible for the design of the U.S. flag with 13 red and white stripes and a star for each state in the union. If not for Captain Reid, our nation’s flag may very well have 50 stars and 50 stripes today.
Learn more about flag history trivia at the House of Flags Museum, located at 33 Gibson Street in Columbus. Open Tuesdays & Thursdays 10 a.m. to 1p.m. and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays.
Admission is free. Donations are always appreciated. Visit houseofflags.org or call 828-894-5640 for additional information.
– article submitted
by Robert Williamson