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Betsy Ross House

This is either the house or where she lived or it's next to the site where her house soon stood. Inside the sparsely furnished two-storey house (built in 1740 but restored to how it appeared in early 1777), you can see Betsy's sewing machine and other tools. This is the only colonial upholstery shop remaining in the USA.



The image of Betsy Ross sewing the first American flag has been imprinted in the minds of Americans since the late 1800s, when the legend of Ross making the flag was first taught as a true historic event.

The Stars and Stripes remain one of the nation's most prominent symbols of national unity and common purpose, and the desire to know - with certainty - who made the first flag continues to this day. Although no official records exist to authenticate the story of Betsy Ross and the making of the flag, this patriotic story has become a colourful thread in the complext tapestry of colonial American history during the founding days of the nation.

This 1740 Philadelphia rowhouse is restored to about the year 1777, when Ross, as the story tells it, is said to have created the first flag. The Betsy Ross House commemorates both the legendary event and the historical Betsy Ross. In addition, the House is an important urban example of an artisan's dwelling, a place to live and work, in 18th century Philadelphia.



Who was Betsy Ross?

Elizabeth Griscom Ross Ashburn Claypoole was an industrious Quaker seamstress, upholsterer, wife and mother, who ran a successful workshop in Philadelphia's bustling commercial district. Her shop, situated in an area just north of Independence Hall was a few blocks from the Delaware River wharves. Ships from around the world docked here, bringing to the city goods from the four corners of the globe.

In one way especailly, Betsy Ross' life is representative of many Revolutionary era working-class women in Philadelphia and elsewhere in the colonies. Many women, like Ross, were left behind by husbands away in battle, fighting for our country's independence, some of whom ewre seriously injured, even killed, in the cause of freedom. These have women became heads of the family - required to manage workshops and businesses, while simultaneously caring for large and extended families.

Betsy Ross was especailly successful in managing these dual roles - not all single or widowed womn of the period fared as well. Through and apprenticeship begun when she was a teenager, she learned the trade of furniture upholstering, a lucrative skill in Philadelphia, then the acknowledged furniture-making capital of the colonies. Excellent at her trade and industrious by nature, Ross was able to keep her family together - and prosper - despite the tragic deaths of three husbands, two in the cause of Independence.

As a colonial businesswoman, she was entrepreneurial and operated a diverse sewing business. In addition to upholstery work, Ross made bed hangings, linens, ship pennants during and after the Revolutionary War, and, of course, flags. With the help of her oldest daughter Clarissa, she continued running her business well into her seventies.

Born into a Philadelphia Quaker family, the Griscoms, Betsy Ross was the eigth of 17 children.



The Betsy Ross Story

The Betsy Ross story was brought to public attention in 1870 by Ross'grandson William Canby. In a lecture given to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Canby claimed that his grandmother sewed the first flag and that it was a family story passed down through the generations. He regrets that he could not find historical documents to prove the story. Nevertheless, he states that oral tradition is just as valuable a tool for historians to acknowledge the authenticity of an event.

Many 18th century women kept journals and commonplace books (handwritten collections of favourite poems and verses). It is not known whether Betsy Ross kept a journal that recorded - in her own words - the events of her life. Furthermore, early records having to do with women's work were often not considered important enough to save. Primary source documents relating to women's paid and unpaid labour during this period, such as receipts, account books and vouchers, are relatively scarce.

In the great volumns of discarded documents detailing the role of women in the bustling economy of late 18th century Philadelphia, it is entirely possible that a record could have existed, one that would verify a patriotic story - and a family's oral tradition!

The 'Best of' art show 2011 at the Leamington centre, featuring the very best of students' work from the last 12 months. Includes fine art, design, graphics, media, jewellery, ceramics, music, photography, fashion, upholstery and furniture.

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