Located in Philadelphia’s Historic District at 239 Arch Street, the Betsy Ross House is the landmark home and shop of the First Lady of the Stars and Stripes. Visit the house where Betsy Ross lived and worked, meet Betsy herself in her shop, and tour the museum featuring artifacts and documents from the era.
Betsy Ross, a two times widow of the Revolutionary War, made her living by running an upholstery business mending uniforms, making tents, blankets, and flags for the Continental Army. As the story goes, George Washington and two other men including her late husband’s uncle, George Ross, visited her shop and requested that she make a flag from George Washington’s design. She thought that she might and got to work on creating what would become our national flag. It was even Betsy who suggested they make the stars five points instead of the six that was originally planned.
Though the house was built in 1740, it wasn’t known as Betsy Ross’ home until 1876. The whole of this story has been passed down orally through Betsy’s children, grand-children, and extended family members who grew up hearing the story. Historians corroborate this version of events based on several factors including a large sum of money paid to Betsy in 1777 for making flags for the Continental Army. It’s up to you to believe it or not after you learn about Betsy Ross and her business at the Betsy Ross House in Philadelphia.
Audio and self-guided tours are offered daily from 10-5 pm March-September and 10-5 pm Tuesday-Sunday in the winter season. Meet Betsy Ross in her upholstery shop and ask her questions, learn how she made flags, and more. Pick up some souvenirs and authentic colonial style gifts at the Betsy Ross Shop.