Brief History
My name is Kevin Weisgerber and I serve on the board of Hearthstone School as the
treasurer. Hearthstone School in Sperryville, Virginia, is a 501.C3 non-profit learning
institution that uses techniques of the Waldorf style of education. We are always
fundraising to help meet our operating costs, but before I tell the Hearthstone story, I
want to share a successful family fundraising story.
This story began in 1752, but I’ll jump ahead to 1888 first. In that year Charles Henry
Weisgerber, my great-grandfather, submitted a work of art to qualify for a scholarship to
the Paris Conservatory of Art. His sculpture titled “Woman with the Broken Bucket” won
him study abroad. In 1892, he returned home with a challenge by his fellow students that
they would enter a contest to submit a piece of art representing the city of Philadelphia
for an exhibit at the upcoming Columbia Exposition in Chicago. I read and have been
told of Charles seeing a small plaque on the side wall of a cigar shop or in the window at
239 Arch Street that read, “In this building the first American Flag was made or the first
flag of the USA was sewn here.” I have also been told that the building had also been a
tavern at one time. So Charles heard the story that had passed down and was still being
told by descendents of Betsy Ross. William Canby, a grandson of Betsy Ross had
presented the family tales and affidavits to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in
1870. Born January 1st, 1752, she was 24 years of age in 1776 when the flag committee
of The Continental Congress paid her little upholstery shop a visit to ask her if she would
make a flag. Charles had his painting idea, a depiction of Betsy Ross presenting George
Washington, Robert Morris and George Ross with the first American Flag. Betsy’s
supposed contribution is the five pointed star made with one snip of the scissors. He
compiled the individual pictures and likeness for a scene in the front room of her shop.
The painting “Birth of our Nation’s Flag” won first prize and the one thousand dollar
award. The painting hung in the Pennsylvania Pavilion, where it was well received at the
Columbia Exposition in Chicago in 1893 where Charles asked Sara Stewart to marry him.
Charles returned to Philadelphia with a plan to save the house at 239 Arch Street, since
most of the neighborhood was being torn down for new structures. Charles thought to
make lithograph copies of his painting and sell the copies for 10 cents to two million
people to raise the money needed to purchase the property and restore the building that is
now known as the Betsy Ross House. With his idea and the help of others for promotion
and financing, they formed the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial. The
historic landmark did not start out the way it looks today. An adjacent building was
purchased and removed for a courtyard to the Betsy Ross House. In 1899 Charles and his
wife and daughter moved into the house and it became known as the First Flag House
because the lithographer, who loved history, kept telling everyone that he lived in the
house where the first American Flag was sewn. In 1902, my grandfather was born in the
American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial and his dad named him Vexil Domus
(which is Latin for Flag House) Weisgerber. While Charles Henry ran a gift shop, he
continued to tell the story to the tourists and children who came to the house until his
death in 1932. After extensive renovations, the home was reopened in 1939 with my
grandfather as curator until his death in 1959. The painting, a 9 foot by 12 foot oil on
canvass was exhibited in Sacramento, California in 1896, at the Jamestown Exposition in
1907, at the Chicago World Fair in 1934, with the Liberty Bell, and at the State Library
and Museum in Harrisburg from 1936 until 1962. It was depicted on a 1952 three cent
US Postal stamp commemorating the 200th anniversary of Betsy Ross’s birth. The
painting underwent extensive restoration in 2001 with the help and support from
numerous Weisgerbers and friends and with the help of Historic Philadelphia, Inc. On
November 28, 2001, ceremonies honoring the Birth of a Nation’s Flag, a gift from the
Weisgerber family, were held at the State Museum of Pennsylvania where it now hangs
due in large part to the efforts of a family friend, Winchell Carroll. In his biography,
Charles Weisgerber wrote of the closing of the Roll of Honor with approximately two
million names recorded. This completed what may justly be termed the most unique and
unparalleled human record in the history of the world.
From C. H. Weisgerber’s biography:
The impressive result was due wholly to the wisdom and patriotism of the Charter
Members of the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association,
whose endorsement and adoption of the popular plan has finally accomplished its
mission. It was within the means of the poorest citizen on a uniform minimum
membership fee for enrollment, debarring substantial sums from public spirited
individuals, thus preventing any possibility of distinct credit reverting to any
person or organization. The single thought was to reach the greatest number and
cover the largest area purely with the idea of spreading the gospel of
Americanization throughout the land while reaching the goal that was set out.
Thereby, they earned credit not only for themselves, but created an honor that
must always rebound to the American public as a whole.
I would encourage all to pay a visit to Philly and visit the Betsy Ross House. Around the
corner from there, visit Christ Church, where Betsy Ross’s pew is close to George
Washington’s pew. I hope you found the story interesting and now I will continue with
the Hearthstone story.
Hearthstone School began as a cooperative group on a small farm in Rappahannock
County, Virginia. Classes were held in converted homes and a renovated barn. After a
five year stay at the farm, we found a structure in a commercial area in Sperryville,
Virginia. Formerly a gift shop, the structure required extensive renovations on both its
upper and lower levels. Renovations also turned two additional existing structures into a
studio and classrooms. All the work has been completed and we have a beautiful campus
at the base of the Shenandoah National Park. We are in our sixteenth year of operation of
Nursery – Kindergarten through 12th grades. This includes a state licensed child care
center. Our school is like all schools that need sources of funding on top of the tuition
charged to parents. We give financial aid and are wishing for a scholarship fund to help
us assist more families who can’t afford full tuition. I have told this story of Charles
Henri Weisgerber’s fundraising technique and I am asking for a donation of one dollar
(10 times his request in 1895). We are hoping to reach one million people who will
believe in our school. Can you help? We have a Paypal account to accept donations. Our
website will keep a running account of our efforts. Please visit our website. We wish to
keep our school open and available to all children regardless of their family’s financial
situation. Give a child an education. Join the Hearthstone Heart Chain.
Thanks,
Kevin Weisgerber
Biography
Of
Betsy Ross
And
The Story of the
“Flag House”
The Birthplace of
“Old Glory”
Past & Present – 1926
By
Charles H. Weisgerber
Painter and Sculptor
Creator of “Birth of Our Nation’s Flag”
Founder of the American Flag House and
Betsy Ross Memorial
Betsy Ross -- Page 2 of 9
Preface
It is with uncommon pleasure that the writer of this pamphlet is enabled to place before
the American people the authenticated facts concerning the origin of the First American
National Standard – “The Stars and Stripes” – at a time when there are yet living
descendents of Betsy Ross, from whose lips the facts were received, to verify the
publication of so important a statement.
This is of special significance when it is known that for many years, vast varieties of
articles, all more or less fictitious, have been published by the press and in book form by
unscrupulous penny-a-liners and would-be historians. Most of the writings have been so
misleading as to create positively false impressions of the circumstances surrounding the
origin of our National Emblem, the true biography of Betsy Ross, and the identity of the
Sacred House in which this event transpired, now so universally known as the birthplace
of Old Glory.
Early historians, such as Schuyler, Hamilton, Lassing, Watson, Annals, Dreble and
others, either failed to make any allusions to this important matter, or they only referred
to it in a superficial manner. It was not much more than a family tradition until in 1870,
Mr. Wm. Canby, grandson of Betsy Ross, read his account of Betsy Ross and the Flag
before the Pennsylvania Historical Society.
Thus it will be understood why students of American history have been groping in the
dark as far as this part of our Flag’s history is concerned and why the countless numbers
of erroneous publications have been circulated and broadcast over the land by
romanticists and other writers. To controvert any further possibility of confusing the
public mind, narration of facts relating to an episode dealing with the very foundation of
our government will be appreciated by all truth-seeking and patriotic Americans. With
this single thought, this publication is issued.
Charles H. Weisgerber
Betsy Ross -- Page 3 of 9
Next to the birth of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, the birth of the American Government,
as symbolized by our flag, is unquestionably the greatest event in the annals of history.
It needs no argument to prove that our national life and institutions can only be preserved
by our tireless devotion to those God-given duties which are undeniably ours, duties that
we should gladly welcome and joyfully perform.
One of the outstanding expressions of a people’s love and loyalty is not being written into
the pages of American history by popular amalgamation of every creed, color, and
condition of the varying elements of which our national family is composed, all uniting
on a common basis in their patriotic work of preserving the humble home and birthplace
of “Old Glory,” under whose protective folds all humanity may live in perfect security.
This living evidence of a nation’s gratitude will ever be one of its most noteworthy and
significant chapters.
This year, 1926, will mark the closing of the Roll of Honor, with approximately two
million names recorded, completing what may justly be termed the most unique and
unparalleled human record in the history of the world.
The impressive result was due wholly to the wisdom and patriotism of the Charter
Members of the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association, whose
endorsement and adoption of the popular plan has finally accomplished its membership
fee for enrollment, debarring substantial sums from public-spirited individuals, thus
preventing any possibility of distinct credit reverting to any person or organization. The
single thought was to reach the greatest number and cover the largest area purely with the
idea of spreading the gospel of Americanization throughout the land and reaching the
goal that was set out. Thereby, they earned not only for themselves, but created an honor
that must always rebound to the American public as a whole.
An official tender will at an early period be made to the city of Philadelphia, etc.,
providing that it must never be removed from its original site. Then when the house is
isolated, surrounded by an adequate open courtyard environment, efforts will be made to
restore Betsy Ross’s furniture.
A bronze table on the exterior will proclaim that glad tidings that the Spirit of 1776 is still
ringing and the birthplace of Old Glory was saved for posterity by a grateful nation.
Such object lessons in patriotism will ever serve to instill increased love of country and
promote a more profound reverence for those American immortals to whom we owe our
all.
What greater joy could be had than to be animated with the knowledge that the
stewardship and protection of this historic shrine where Old Glory had its birth has been
allotted to us.
Betsy Ross -- Page 4 of 9
In view of the fact that by selecting them as Charter Members, several men whom I had
sought to honor have made and caused to be published at various times and in various
manners the statement that they had saved the Betsy Ross House. It becomes my painful
duty at this time to place before the public such information as will enable the readers to
form their own opinions.
This reference is odious but imperative to protect my own reputation. I shall be content to
say that in the case of one, he was simply a money lender. I had given him my original
painting as collateral security for the money needed to launch the movement.
In the second case, he actually accepted the presentation of a testimonial medal from the
Flag House Chapter, D.A.R. for having saved the house!
While the third was removed from the Board of Directors for publishing post cards with
the statement that he was the pioneer who saved the Betsy Ross House.
All three had not in the slightest degree whatever anything to do with the conception of
the plan by which the Old Flag House was saved. Furthermore, there is nothing that the
records will show that can refute this statement.
In order that I might not be charged with egotism in making this public statement, I
challenge anyone to bring any document or proof of any kind that might in any way show
that my statements are not true.
I desire to say that I formulated every feature of the plan, determined the price to be paid
for the House, designed the certificates and the seal of Association, worked out the plan
of issuing the certificates and presenting the premium picture, and carried out every other
detail without consultation with any person.
When the details were perfected, I submitted them to the distinguished gentlemen who
afterward became officers, directors and Charter Members of the Association and whose
prominence and moral support it was necessary for me to have in order to secure public
confidence.
As the founder of the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association, I am
quite willing to assume the entire responsibility of having “faked” the movement to save
the Betsy Ross House, the birthplace of Old Glory to Philadelphia and the nation.
Up to the present time I have consistently abstained from entering into newspaper
controversies regarding the authenticity of the Ross family tradition. But having had a
personal and intimate acquaintance with several of Betsy Ross’s grandchildren, I felt
assured of their purity of purpose and I was convinced of the truth of their various
statements. I succeeded finally in having Mr. George Canby, a grandson of Betsy Ross,
collect all of the data available among several branches of Betsy Ross’s lineal
descendants and compile them. I continually urged it as a patriotic duty and as a valuable
Betsy Ross -- Page 5 of 9
contribution to American history. His labors resulted in the publication of “The Evolution
of the American Flag,”which was edited by Dr. Lloyd Balderston, great-grandson of
Betsy Ross and Principal of the State Normal at Westchester, PA.
Mr. Canby was himself a scholar and a retiring conservative gentleman of the old school
of devoted patriotic citizens. He died just before his book went to print.
It is impossible to read that book and not become a firm believer in its contents.
If after over fifty years of challenge, nothing has been unearthed to disprove the Ross
claims, it is not unreasonable to accept the simple story as handed down to us by
descendants of Betsy Ross, whose characters are unimpeachable and whose affidavits
were made at a time of life when worldly gain help no allurement for them?
I am absolutely sure that the house at 239 Arch Street is the identical house in which
Betsy Ross made the first flag of the United States for the reason that it is so mentioned
in White’s Business Directory, published in Philadelphia in the year 177_. It was also
mentioned in McPherson’s Business Directory published the following year in 177_.
These two directories both definitely give the exact location of the house.
This evidence is supported by the accumulated data of Betsy Ross’s four daughters, one
niece whom Betsy Ross had raised until she was thirty years old and two grandsons. This
was complied in book form and published with their individual affidavits and as recorded
in the “Evolution of the American Flag” by Geo. Canby, a grandson of Betsy Ross. This
evidence convinced me of the accuracy representing the union of the thirteen colonies in
their common cause of independence.
Regarding a recent publication in which it was stated that a certain person did not believe
that Betsy Ross made the flag or that it was made in the house at 239 Arch Street, I can
but reiterate my reply to the effect that in the interest of true American history, any proof
that Betsy Ross did not make our first national flag or that is was not made at 239 Arch
Street, would be welcomed. It is, however, of little consequence what a single person
believes. It is quite certain that a flag was made, that it was made by somebody
somewhere. It is the duty of an honest constructive historian to prove that it was made by
Betsy Ross at the above address.
Scurrilous innuendos and vilifying charges attempting to degrade the name and plans of
the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association are unworthy of
consideration. The question is whether or not a flag was made. If so, who made it and
where was it made? To this might be added whether or not the birthplace of Old Glory is
worth preserving. It is a landmark to be classed among the sacred shrines of American
history.
Should it be numbered among those historic relics which make Philadelphia the Mecca of
patriotic inspiration?
Betsy Ross -- Page 6 of 9
These are questions for those who are interested in the propaganda of Americanization
movements to determine the validity of Betsy Ross claims. A jury composed of eminent
educators should be commissioned by the City Council to examine the records and let
their findings decide this momentous question.
The eminent men who became interested in the movement and who endorsed the plan
and lent their names to the enterprise were among the most distinguished of the day. The
plan has never been changed since its inception. The records now total approximately a
million names on the Roll of Honor.
It is proposed to tender the House to the present administration and also to restore the
Betsy Ross furniture. The city will be asked to preserve the house on its original site.
The Roll of Honor is probably the most unparalleled human record in the world. It is
representative of all mankind and every land on earth. A bronze tablet will be placed on
the exterior of the house with the simple words,
Birthplace of “Old Glory”
Saved by a Grateful Nation
The birthplace of Old Glory was saved for the nation by popular uniform subscription.
With each succeeding year in our history and with the added achievement of the
anniversary of “Flag Day,” the thoughts of all Americans must of necessity revert to that
formative period of our history when our Patriot Fathers, inspired by divine instincts and
guidance, gave to the world a new and free government.
It is at such times and occasions that our grateful hearts throb with reverent emotions,
allowing our minds to recall the ideals for which “Our Flag,” the nation’s emblem, stands
and the achievements on behalf of humanity accomplished under its folds.
And while we honor the heroes of the past, let us not forget to preserve every memento
associated with them and thus prove our own worthiness of the manifold heritages
vouchsafed us. As faithful trustees, we must keep inviolate the principles upon which our
government was founded, perpetuating the legacy for our posterity and transmitting these
virtues to generations yet unborn. Thus we earn for ourselves the proud title of
“American Patriot.”
Betsy Ross -- Page 7 of 9
Betsy Ross -- Page 8 of 9
Photo Gallery
“Birth of Our Nation’s Flag”
by Charles H. Weisgerber
(1893)
Stain glass replica of
“Birth of Our Nation’s Flag”
Shawn Weisgerber
(great grandson),
artwork by Kevin Postich
Hangs in the Gift Shop at the
Betsy Ross House
Betsy Ross -- Page 9 of 9
“Birth of Our Nation’s Flag”
unveiling after restoration
with Ben Franklin
Political Fest 2000, Philadelphia, PA
Charles H. Weisgerber, II (left)
and Winchell Carroll (right)
The State Museum of Pennsylvania,
Harrisburg, PA
November 28, 2001