Grand Old Flags

Summer 2002

Some of the flags featured in this exhibit were:

A 36 star flag used by the Union League of New Milford to proclaim Union victories near the end of the Civil War. We believe, from documentation that came with the flag, that it was carried horizontally. Nevada was the 26th State admitted in 1865. The flag was drapped on the Civil War Monument, in Montrose, during a G.A.R. Reunion in 1917. It was presented to the Susquehanna County Historical Society soon after by Judge A.B. Smith for Jesse M. Vailes of Harrisburg. Judge Smith's Father, Capt. A.B. Smith, was a member of the Union League.

Exhibit flag

A 40 star made of muslin, machine sewn, with hand appliqued stars. The flag belonged to Richmond Moss Hall, Civil War veteran of the 53rd Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers.

Silk Flag, Ca. 1840, "Harrison and Reform" used during the Presidential campaign of William Henry Harrison. "Tippecanoe and Tyler" refers to Harrison's Victory at the Battle of Tippe-Canoe and John Tyler, his Vice-Presidential running mate. Historians have described the 1840 campaign as the first modern political campaign. Harrison broke with tradition and campaigned actively for President on the Whig Ticket.
A 34 star flag made by the Ladies Aid Society of Montrose during the Civil War. On different occasions it hung in front of the store of B.R. Lyons, from 1861-1865. Also on display was a photograph of the Ladies Aid Society of Montrose.

Bi-Centennial Flag, 1976.

A flag represented by the Evening News of Washington, D.C., to the 13th Regiment of Montrose, National Guard of Pennsylvania, judged by vote to be the most popular visiting organization in the Grover Cleveland inaugural parade, March 4, 1893. The flag arrived in Montrose on March 8, 1893 on the 4:50 train from Washington. "Members of Co. G., headed by the Montrose Cornet Band, and accompanied by many citizens, marched to the Depot, where the glorious banner was received amid much enthusiasm." "As the Stars and Stripes were unfurled to their native breezes the first time, they were greeted with cheer upon cheer, after which the line of march was taken to the armory, where many citizens had gathered to inspect this beautiful specimen of our country's glorious banner." The flag is made of silk and has disintegrated with age and use. It is wrapped in a Maylar sleeve to protect the remains from further damage. The flag was presented to the Historical Society by R.J. McCausland, Co. G. officer, Montrose, July 25, 1934.

Other objects on display:

A Washington Banner. A printed cotton textile, 19th century. Printed in red, white and blue, depicting Washington standing besde his horse, within an oval reserve, an American shield above and below.

Washington Crossing the Delaware, Dec. 25, 1776. Hand colored lithograph by C.L.F. Blanckmeister, Pub. 1850.

A painting of a steamboat on the Hudson River flying the American Flag.

The Constitution of the United states. Printed by the National Defense Commission, National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Podium used by a G.A.R. Post.

Register of Co. H, 4th Regiment P.R.V.C., Civil War. James P. Gay, Auburn Township, was 2nd Lieut. of Company H.


Two views of flags exhibited

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