Betsy Ross House, Philadelphia

Cute enough from the outside (which has Betsy Ross's and her 3rd husband, John Claypool's graves), but inside this restored home of the woman who sewed the first American flag, it's pretty much a gift shop.

Open daily 10-5 (Memorial Day-Labor Day)
Tuesday-Sun 10-5 (Rest of Year)
Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving, Dec 25

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Betsy Ross lived in a comparatively posh Federal House some blocks north of Independence Hall. For $3 one can roam at will among the kitchen, basement pantry and upstairs bedrooms (those not roped off) and take pictures at will. Philadelphia "Colonials" (i.e. the city's welcoming staffers) often stand in the courtyard to answer questions in Colonial garb. Besides the tour of the house, Betsy Ross' grave stands on the western edge of the courtyard. Open Tues-Sun 10-5.

Betsy's house was donated to the city in 1937 and was restored with the proceeds of a dime donation drive.

But did she really sew the first American flag?
She WAS a good friend of George Washington. She WAS a seamstress. But the only proof that she did indeed sew the first flag is by an accounting made by her grandson...

The tour is self-guided and only takes about a half-hour.

Nearby is Elfreth's Alley- You must check it out. Also nearby: the US Mint and the new National Constitution Center.

So, while it doesn't take long to visit Betsy's place, it is close to other attractions.

Self-guided tour for Adults $3.00
Children & Seniors $2.00.

Hours: 10am - 5pm.
Open daily April -- September
Open Tuesday -- Sunday October -- March. Open on Monday holidays.

Betsy often amused her children and grandchildren by recounting the story of how she made the first Stars and Stripes. For nearly a century, the story of Betsy Ross and the making of the first flag was known only by her family. It wasn?t until William Canby?s speech to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in 1870 that the nation was first introduced to his remarkable grandmother and her accomplishments

The men presented her with a sketch of the proposed flag. She studied the drawing and noticed that there were six-pointed stars in the design. Betsy suggested that the stars should have five points, but the gentlemen protested, claiming that a great many of these flags must be made very quickly and a five-pointed star would be too difficult to make. With that, Betsy folded a piece of paper and with just one snip of her scissors she revealed a perfect five-pointed star. The men were impressed with her skill and agreed to change the design. One year later, on June 14, 1777, Congress passed the Flag Resolution, making the Stars and Stripes the official flag of the United States

In the courtyard to her home off of Arch Street, she is buried there. Along with her husband, John Claypoole.

By 1833 Betsy was completely blind. She spent the last three years of her life living with her daughter Jane?s family on Cherry Street in Philadelphia. With family present, Betsy died peacefully in her sleep on January 30, 1836. She was eighty-four years old.

We went to the Betsy Ross house. It rained all day off and on, it was our only day there so we decided to make the best of it.
We put on our rain coats and off we went.

Historic Information

Betsy Ross is best known as the legendary maker of the first American flag, but her story is an inspirational one that goes well beyond her association with the flag. Betsy Ross was a courageous and spirited woman whose life was filled with hardships. She was shunned by her family and forbidden to worship as a Quaker for marrying a man of a different faith. She was widowed three times, and two of her seven daughters died as infants.

Tours are self-guided or visitors may purchase an audio guide which brings to life the house and extraordinary woman, Betsy Ross.
Hours
Open 10 am ? 5 pm
April ? September: Daily
October ? March: Tuesday - Sunday.

Open all holiday Mondays.

Admission
Self-guided Tour (Suggested)
- $3 adults and seniors
- $2 children and students
Audio Guide and admission
- $5 per person

Most people know that the creator of the first American Flag was Betsy Ross, a native Pennsylvanian and well-known seamstress. What most people don't know is that Betsy Ross was also a keen businesswoman who outlived 3 husbands and 2 of her 7 daughters. She was a hardworking, tough woman who only finally retired in her mid 70's when she was too tired to work any longer. She lived well into her mid 80's at a time when 40 was considered old.

The Betsy Ross House is the house where Betsy and her daughters actually lived and worked and where the first flag was sewn. The front of the house served as Betsy's shop where she spent her days making curtains, tablecloths, and bedcoverings for clients. She also upolstered furniture, a service that was in high demand at that time and provided steady business. Betsy also earned income to support her daughters by making musket balls for the Revolutionary Army. She is burried on the grounds of the house with her third husband, John Claypoole.

Open 10 - 5, Closed Mondays Oct - March

Betsy Ross sewed the first American flag and because of its huge significance in where it is flown (whether on earth or in space) it is no surprise that Betsy Ross has become one of the most cherished figures of American History. This house is where she lived and has now become a shrine to her. Admission is by Donation.

BETSY ROSS HOUSE: The restored Colonial-style 18th century home of Betsy Ross who sewed the first American flag. Also view some of her personal possessions.

Museum depicting the working class during colonial times. It was said the 1st U.S. flag was made here in 1776. The home & upholstery shop is furnished with many of the flagmaker's personal possessions & displays.

Open Tuesday-Sunday 10 am - 5 pm.

Besty Ross House: Historic old house where you can tour. Its amazing how small the house is and the rooms, its wonderfully kept and it puts you back in history.
Independence Hall, the Todd House( where Dollie Madison lived with her first husband), the Edgar Allen Poe house where he lived for a year with his dying wife and where he wrote several of his tales.