Betsy Ross House facts for kids
Betsy Ross House in 2012
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| Location | 239 Arch Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Type | Historic Location |
| Public transit access |   SEPTA bus: 5, 48, 57 |
The Betsy Ross House is a famous building in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Many people believe it's where Betsy Ross (1752–1836), a skilled seamstress, lived and sewed the very first American flag. This house is a popular place to visit for people interested in American history.
The Story of the First American Flag
The idea that Betsy Ross made the first American flag became popular thanks to her grandsons, William and George Canby. This story became widely known especially around the 1876 Centennial celebration, which marked 100 years since America's independence.
Historians have looked for proof of where Betsy Ross lived. Some family members said she lived in the house that stands today. However, other old records suggest she might have lived in a building right next to it. This nearby building was later taken down to prevent fires. So, while the house is very famous, some historians believe the exact story about her making the flag there might not be completely true.
The Betsy Ross House is on Arch Street. It's just a few blocks from other important places like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. The front part of the house was built around 1740. The back part and the stairs were added about 10 to 20 years later. If Betsy Ross lived here, it would have been from 1776, after her first husband died, until about 1779.
Restoring a Historic Home
Over many years, the Betsy Ross House needed a lot of repair and restoration. In 1937, a wealthy radio owner named A. Atwater Kent offered up to $25,000 to fix up the house. He hired a historical architect, Richardson Brognard Okie, to do the work.
During the restoration, workers tried to keep as many original parts of the house as possible. If an original part couldn't be saved, they used materials from other old houses that were being torn down. A new section was added to the back of the house, built with old bricks. The front stairs and the dormer window (a window that sticks out from the roof) were completely replaced. The front door was also moved to a different spot.
After the restoration, Kent bought the two buildings next to the house. He turned the area into a "civic garden" for everyone to enjoy. In 1941, he gave the entire property, including the historic house and the garden, to the city of Philadelphia. Later, in 1965, another building was added to the property. In 1974, the courtyard was updated, and a fountain was put in.
Before the United States Bicentennial (200 years since independence), the remains of Betsy Ross and her third husband, John Claypoole, were moved to graves in the courtyard. A private group called Historic Philadelphia, Inc. started managing the site in 1995. They continue to take care of the Betsy Ross House today.
The Betsy Ross House is a special place where Philadelphia celebrates Flag Day each year.
See also
