June 14, 2026
Revolutionary Things Spring Lecture Series
Sunday, June 14, 2026
2pm
Crafting the Myth: Betsy Ross and the Flag
Did she or didn’t she? The story of Betsy Ross crafting the first American flag in 1776 has been passed down for generations, yet it lacks definitive historical documentation.
Join us on Flag Day as Dr. Aimee Newell discusses the origin story of one of the American Revolution’s long-held and most beloved tales during “Crafting the Myth: Betsy Ross and the Flag.” Learn about the real Betsy Ross and how the mythology around the creation of the nation’s first flag grew to what it is today.
Aimee Newell, Ph.D., has worked as a curator, collections manager and director at various museums across the country, including the Nantucket Historical Association, Old Sturbridge Village, and the Museum of the American Revolution, among other museums. She writes and speaks frequently about American needlework and material culture. Dr. Newell is the author of A Stitch in Time: The Needlework of Aging Women in Antebellum America. Currently, she lives in Philadelphia and works at Drexel University and as an independent consultant.
The 45-minute presentation will take place near the changing exhibit gallery on Floor 1. Museum admission is free for guests registered for the lectures -
Register and receive free general admission on the date of the event. Check in at the front desk when you arrive.
