The preservation of historical records and manuscripts and the promoting of fraternal intercourse among their members are the main inspirations of all of these patriotic societies:
Society of Colonial Wars.
Sons of the Revolution.
Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
Grand Army of the Republic.
Sons of Veterans U. S. A.
There are three great patriotic societies, organized by the women of America, known as the Daughters of the Revolution, Colonial Dames, and the Mayflower, that may outstrip all other societies in the value and importance of their work.
DATES OF ADMISSION OF THE STATES
Delaware, Dec. 7, 1787.
Pennsylvania, Dec. 12, 1787.
New Jersey, Dec. 18, 1787.
Georgia, Jan. 2, 1788.
Connecticut, Jan. 9, 1788.
Massachusetts, Feb. 6, 1788.
Maryland, April 28, 1788.
South Carolina, May 23, 1788.
New Hampshire, June 21, 1788.
Virginia, June 25, 1788.
New York, July 26, 1788.
North Carolina, Nov. 21, 1789.
Rhode Island, May 29, 1790.
Vermont, March 4, 1791.
Kentucky, June 1, 1792.
Tennessee, June 1, 1796.
Ohio, Feb. 19, 1803.
Louisiana, April 30, 1812.
Indiana, Dec. 11, 1816.
Mississippi, Dec. 10, 1817.
Illinois, Dec. 3, 1818.
Alabama, Dec. 14, 1819.
Maine, March 15, 1820.
Missouri, Aug. 10, 1821.
Arkansas, June 15, 1836.
Michigan, Jan. 26, 1837.
Florida, March 3, 1845.
Texas, Sept. 29, 1845.
Iowa, Dec. 28, 1846.
Wisconsin, May 29, 1848.
California, Sept. 9, 1850.
Minnesota, May 11, 1858.
Oregon, Feb. 14, 1859.
Kansas, Jan. 29, 1861.
West Virginia, June 19, 1863.
Nevada, Oct. 31, 1864.
Nebraska, March 1, 1867.
Colorado, Aug. 1, 1876.
North Dakota and
South Dakota, Nov. 2, 1889.
Montana, Nov. 8, 1889.
Washington, Nov. 11, 1889.
Idaho, July 3, 1890.
Wyoming, July 10, 1890.
Utah, 1894.
DATES OF ORGANIZATION
Arizona, Feb. 24, 1863.
Alaska, July 27, 1868.
Indian Territory, June 30, 1834.
Oklahoma, April 22, 1889.
District of Columbia. March 3, 1791.
New Mexico, Sept. 9, 1850.
Commodore Perry carried our flag in 1854 into the harbors of Japan, and the first commercial treaty with that nation was made by and with the United States.
GENERAL WASHINGTON, HON GEORGE ROSS, ROBERT MORRIS, BETSY ROSS, COPYRIGHTED 1883
BIRTH OF OUR NATION’S FLAG
THE FIRST AMERICAN FLAG ACCEPTED by COMMITTEE and ADOPTED by Resolution of Congress JUNE 14th, 1777, as the National Standard, was made by BETSEY ROSS in 1776, at 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, in the room represented in this picture. The Committee ROBERT MORRIS and Hon. George ROSS, accompanied by GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON, called upon this Celebrated Woman, and, together with her suggestions, produced our beautiful
EMBLEM OF LIBERTY
SAVE THE OLD FLAG HOUSE.
THE HOME OF BETSY ROSS
The objects of the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association are to purchase and preserve the historic building, situated at No. 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa., in which the first flag of the United States of America was made by Betsy Ross and subsequently adopted by Congress, June 14th, 1777, and to erect a national memorial in honor of this illustrious woman.
All loyal American hearts will welcome the glad tidings that active steps have been taken to purchase the birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner, and under the auspices of the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association shall henceforth be preserved as a lasting tribute to those whose heroism resulted in establishing that freedom which a united people are to-day enjoying.
Appreciating the importance of preserving this relic of the Revolution, a number of patriotic gentlemen of this and other States have taken the matter in hand, thus making the movement national in its scope.
Numerous attempts have been made in the past to remove this historic building to other cities. The present plans provide that it shall remain in Philadelphia, where it rightfully belongs, there to be held in trust for the nation.
It has been left to the option of the American people whether the birthplace of their national emblem shall be permitted to pass into oblivion.
This landmark should be the mecca and shrine of the whole nation. It was associated with one of the most memorable incidents of our early history, and it is most fitting that it should be preserved for future generations.
Like “Independence Hall,” wherein the Declaration of Independence was signed, and Faneuil Hall, the cradle of liberty, it speaks most eloquently of the men and women to whom we owe our freedom.
While we honor the heroes of the past, let us not forget to preserve the mementoes associated with them. Such relics increase in value as they are transmitted from one generation to another and form object lessons in history.
To follow our flag from its birth until to-day would be to write a history which stands absolutely alone, and from the day of its creation to the present time it has never trailed in the dust, being the only exception among the flags of the world. It is not that we have not been called upon to defend it and the underlying principles for which it stands, for to-day as we celebrate the anniversaries of victories on land and sea we cannot but recall, with mingled pride and pleasure, the achievements won under its glorious folds, and when our patriots, inspired by a God-like devotion to flag and country, performed deeds of daring that mark their efforts as the most signal ever accomplished under any flag by any heroes of any nation.
With all these glorious deeds, and others that must necessarily follow, let us as a grateful, patriotic people see to it that the birthplace of our nation’s flag be preserved as a holy shrine.
With the view of making the movement a popular one, arrangements have been made to have all Americans, of every shade of religious and political opinion, affiliate alike, and by their participation to become the preservers of the birthplace of the “Stars and Stripes.”
On these broad principles souvenir certificates of membership in this Association will be issued at a nominal price, and the names of all subscribers placed on the roll of honor.
Any person desiring to see the Old Flag House saved and Betsy Ross honored may become a member of the “American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association” upon the payment of 10 cents, for which they will receive a beautiful certificate of membership, size 11x14, duly signed by the officers of the Association, and bearing the seal and certificate number. Upon these certificates in the centre is artistically portrayed the room in which Betsy Ross displayed the first Stars and Stripes to the committee appointed by Congress, consisting of General Washington, Robert Morris and Hon. George Ross. On the left is an exterior picture of the Old Flag House as it stands to-day, while on the right is the picture of the grave of Betsy Ross, at Mt. Moriah Cemetery.
These certificates will be mailed to any address upon the receipt of 10c.
NOTICE
A large reproduction, in ten colors, size 22x28 inches, of the original painting, “Birth of Our Nation’s Flag,” by Charles H. Weisgerber, first exhibited at the World’s Columbian Exposition, Chicago, 1893, will be presented as a souvenir to any person forming a club of thirty members, inclusive. These premium pictures will not be for sale, and when the objects of the Association are attained the plates will be destroyed: thus they will become a valuable family heirloom. For upon them will be engrossed the name of the individual forming the club, as follows:
“Presented to ...................... of ................................ by the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association, for aiding in the preservation of the Birthplace of our Nation’s Flag, and for the erection of a National Memorial in Honor of Betsy Ross, and stamped with the seal of the Association.”
The picture referred to above is an exact representation of the room in which the first American Flag was made by Betsy Ross, which was subsequently adopted by Congress, June 14, 1777, and is the only endorsed portrait representation of Betsy Ross by her living descendants.
Address all communications to
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, Secretary,Old Flag House, 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pa.