Editing Betsy Ross House

{{Infobox LocalBusiness
| name = Betsy Ross House
| image =
| image_caption = Betsy Ross House on Arch Street
| type = Historic house museum
| address = 239 Arch Street
| neighborhood = Old City
| coordinates = 39.9525,-75.1445
| phone = (215) 629-4026
| website = https://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house/
| established = 1740 (house); 1898 (museum)
| founder = Historic Philadelphia, Inc.
| owner = City of Philadelphia
| employees =
| hours = Daily 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
| products = Historic house tours
| status = Museum
}}

'''The Betsy Ross House''' is a historic house museum located at 239 Arch Street in [[Old City, Philadelphia|Old City]], traditionally believed to be the site where seamstress '''Betsy Ross''' sewed the first American flag in 1776. The small colonial rowhouse attracts over 250,000 visitors annually and is one of Philadelphia's most popular historic attractions. While historians debate whether Ross actually lived at this precise address, the house has become an enduring symbol of American revolutionary history and Philadelphia's role in the nation's founding.<ref name="hrh">{{cite web |url=https://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house/what-to-see/ |title=Betsy Ross House |publisher=Historic Philadelphia, Inc. |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>

The museum is operated by Historic Philadelphia, Inc., and offers guided tours featuring a costumed Betsy Ross interpreter, period-furnished rooms, and exhibits on colonial upholstery and flag-making. Betsy Ross's grave and memorial are located in the adjacent courtyard, where she was reinterred in 1975 as part of the nation's bicentennial celebrations.<ref name="visit">{{cite web |url=https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-betsy-ross-house/ |title=Betsy Ross House |publisher=Visit Philadelphia |access-date=December 30, 2025}}</ref>

== Betsy Ross ==

=== Early Life ===

'''Elizabeth Griscom Ross''' (January 1, 1752 – January 30, 1836) was born in Philadelphia to Samuel and Rebecca Griscom, members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). She was the eighth of seventeen children. Young Betsy was educated at a Quaker school and apprenticed to an upholsterer.

At age 21, Betsy eloped with John Ross, an Anglican, and was "read out" (disowned) by her Quaker meeting for marrying outside the faith. The couple established an upholstery business.

=== The Flag Story ===

According to family oral tradition, in late May or early June 1776, George Washington, Robert Morris, and George Ross (John Ross's uncle) visited Betsy Ross and asked her to sew a flag for the new nation. The story states that Washington showed her a rough design featuring a six-pointed star, and Betsy suggested the now-familiar five-pointed star, demonstrating how it could be cut with a single snip of scissors.

==== Historical Evidence ====

The flag story first became public in 1870 when Betsy's grandson, William Canby, presented an affidavit to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania based on his grandmother's recollections. While no documentary evidence from 1776 confirms the story, historians note:

* Betsy Ross was an established upholsterer who would have had the skills to make flags
* She did make flags for the Pennsylvania Navy in 1777
* She continued in the flag-making business for decades
* The oral tradition passed through multiple family members

=== Later Life ===

Betsy Ross was widowed three times. Her first husband, John Ross, died in 1776 (possibly from a gunpowder explosion while on militia duty). She married Joseph Ashburn in 1777; he died in a British prison in 1782. Her third husband, John Claypoole, whom she married in 1783, lived until 1817.

Betsy continued working as an upholsterer and flag-maker until her retirement in 1827. She spent her final years living with her daughter Susannah Satterthwaite and died on January 30, 1836, at age 84.

== The House ==

=== History of the Building ===

The house at 239 Arch Street was built around '''1740'''. During Betsy Ross's lifetime, the property was divided into multiple rental units, and historians debate whether she lived at this specific address or a neighboring property (the numbering system has changed over time).

The house was purchased by the '''American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association''' in 1898, saving it from demolition. It was restored as a museum and opened to the public.

=== Architecture ===

The house is a typical Philadelphia colonial rowhouse:
* Two and a half stories plus basement
* Red brick construction
* Three bays wide
* Period-appropriate windows and shutters
* Small front garden

=== Museum Exhibits ===

The museum includes:
* '''Period-furnished rooms:''' Depicting 18th-century life and work
* '''Upholstery shop:''' Recreation of a colonial upholsterer's workspace
* '''Betsy's bedroom:''' Furnished with period pieces
* '''Basement:''' Exhibits on flag history and Betsy Ross's life
* '''Courtyard:''' Betsy Ross's grave and memorial garden

== Visiting the Betsy Ross House ==

=== Hours ===

* '''Daily:''' 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
* '''Extended summer hours:''' June through August
* Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day

=== Admission ===

* '''Self-guided tour:''' Modest admission fee (check website for current pricing)
* '''Audio tour:''' Included with admission
* '''"Betsy Ross" guided tour:''' Available at scheduled times

=== Meeting "Betsy Ross" ===

Costumed interpreters portraying Betsy Ross are present during most museum hours. They speak in first person about Betsy's life, the flag story, and colonial Philadelphia. Interaction with "Betsy" is a highlight for many visitors.

=== Gift Shop ===

The museum shop offers:
* American flags (including handmade reproductions)
* Revolutionary War-era reproductions
* Books on Betsy Ross and American history
* Souvenirs

=== Getting There ===

* '''SEPTA Market-Frankford Line:''' 2nd Street Station (2 blocks)
* '''SEPTA Bus:''' Routes 5, 17, 33, 48
* '''Walking:''' 3 blocks from [[Independence Hall]]
* On the free PHLASH downtown loop route

=== Nearby Attractions ===

* [[Elfreth's Alley]] (1 block)
* [[Christ Church]] (2 blocks)
* [[Independence Hall]] (3 blocks)
* [[National Constitution Center]] (3 blocks)

== The Grave ==

Betsy Ross was originally buried at the Free Quaker Burying Ground at 5th and Locust Streets. In 1857, her remains were moved to Mount Moriah Cemetery. For the 1976 bicentennial, her remains were reinterred in the courtyard of the Betsy Ross House, where a simple memorial marks her grave.

Visitors can view the grave and memorial garden without purchasing museum admission.

== See Also ==

* [[Old City, Philadelphia]]
* [[American Revolution in Philadelphia]]
* [[Colonial Philadelphia]]
* [[Independence Hall]]
* [[Elfreth's Alley]]

== References ==
<references />

== External Links ==

* [https://historicphiladelphia.org/betsy-ross-house/ Betsy Ross House Official Website]
* [https://www.visitphilly.com/things-to-do/attractions/the-betsy-ross-house/ Visit Philadelphia Guide]
* [https://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/places-betsyrosshouse.htm National Park Service]

{{#seo:
|title=Betsy Ross House Philadelphia - First American Flag History and Tours
|description=Visit the Betsy Ross House in Old City Philadelphia, traditional site where the first American flag was sewn. Tours, history, Betsy Ross's grave, and visitor information.
|keywords=Betsy Ross House, first American flag, Betsy Ross Philadelphia, Old City historic sites, American Revolution Philadelphia, flag history, colonial Philadelphia, Betsy Ross grave
|type=Article
}}

[[Category:Landmarks]]
[[Category:Museums]]
[[Category:Historic Buildings]]
[[Category:Old City]]
[[Category:Colonial Philadelphia]]