Rally 'Round the Flag
Donation protected
“The finest example of pictorial needlework that I have ever seen.” This is how Camille Breeze, Director of Museum Textile Services in Andover, MA, described this flag from the Manchester Historic Association (MHA).
This unique American flag features a hand-embroidered shield of George Washington sewn on the center of the flag. The flag is in poor condition and has been brought to Museum Textile Services in Andover, MA for conservation. The MHA’s goal is to raise the money to properly restore it. The conservation project includes disassembling and cleaning the flag, reassembling the flag, and finally, preparing it to be properly displayed and stored. The total cost of the project is just over $13,000. The MHA Board of Trustees authorized some funds to be spent to restore the flag, but we are still in need of $7000 to complete the project.
The flag was made by First Lady Edith Roosevelt herself. In 1903, the W. W. Brown Camp, Manchester’s chapter of the Sons of Veterans, was running a fair for the purpose of raising money for the organization. One of the members of the camp wrote to Edith Roosevelt, then First Lady of the United States, and asked her to donate an item that could be used to raise money at the fair. Mrs. Roosevelt replied and sent this flag which she has made and done the needlepoint on herself. Those familiar with Edith Roosevelt may know that she was heavily involved in the Needlework Guild. Once the Sons of Veterans saw the flag, the loved it so much that they wished to keep it rather than putting it in the fair. They wrote again to Mrs. Roosevelt, telling her how much they valued the flag and asking if they might keep it. Mrs. Roosevelt replied that that would be alright with her. The Sons of Veterans later donated the flag to the MHA in 1936.
With ties to George Washington, Teddy and Edith Roosevelt, a veterans organization, American flag history, and needlepoint, this artifact is a unique piece of American history that should be conserved, restored, and displayed for all to enjoy. Your donation will help us achieve this goal. All donors will receive an invitation to the unveiling of the flag when it is restored and put on display at the Millyard Museum. Donations over $100 will receive a print of the Amoskeag Company Great Flag photo from the MHA collection.
Any money raised over our $7,000 goal will go towards care of the MHA's collections.
Founded in 1896, the Manchester Historic Association is an independent, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization with the mission to collect, preserve and share the history of Manchester, New Hampshire, USA. The Association operates the Millyard Museum and the Research Center, both of which are open to the general public.
This unique American flag features a hand-embroidered shield of George Washington sewn on the center of the flag. The flag is in poor condition and has been brought to Museum Textile Services in Andover, MA for conservation. The MHA’s goal is to raise the money to properly restore it. The conservation project includes disassembling and cleaning the flag, reassembling the flag, and finally, preparing it to be properly displayed and stored. The total cost of the project is just over $13,000. The MHA Board of Trustees authorized some funds to be spent to restore the flag, but we are still in need of $7000 to complete the project.
The flag was made by First Lady Edith Roosevelt herself. In 1903, the W. W. Brown Camp, Manchester’s chapter of the Sons of Veterans, was running a fair for the purpose of raising money for the organization. One of the members of the camp wrote to Edith Roosevelt, then First Lady of the United States, and asked her to donate an item that could be used to raise money at the fair. Mrs. Roosevelt replied and sent this flag which she has made and done the needlepoint on herself. Those familiar with Edith Roosevelt may know that she was heavily involved in the Needlework Guild. Once the Sons of Veterans saw the flag, the loved it so much that they wished to keep it rather than putting it in the fair. They wrote again to Mrs. Roosevelt, telling her how much they valued the flag and asking if they might keep it. Mrs. Roosevelt replied that that would be alright with her. The Sons of Veterans later donated the flag to the MHA in 1936.
With ties to George Washington, Teddy and Edith Roosevelt, a veterans organization, American flag history, and needlepoint, this artifact is a unique piece of American history that should be conserved, restored, and displayed for all to enjoy. Your donation will help us achieve this goal. All donors will receive an invitation to the unveiling of the flag when it is restored and put on display at the Millyard Museum. Donations over $100 will receive a print of the Amoskeag Company Great Flag photo from the MHA collection.
Any money raised over our $7,000 goal will go towards care of the MHA's collections.
Founded in 1896, the Manchester Historic Association is an independent, 501 (c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization with the mission to collect, preserve and share the history of Manchester, New Hampshire, USA. The Association operates the Millyard Museum and the Research Center, both of which are open to the general public.
Organizer and beneficiary
John Clayton
Organizer
Manchester, NH
Jeffrey Barraclough
Beneficiary
