iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
The original 1813 Star Spangled Banner that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the song that would become the national anthem, is among the most treasured artifacts in the collections of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
Stitched by Mary Pickersgill assisted by daughter Caroline; nieces Eliza Young, Margaret Young; and a thirteen-year-old African American indentured servant, Grace Wisher along with her mother, Rebecca Young, the flag made of wool bunting, measured 30’x42’. On September 13, 1814, British warships bombarded Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor for 25 hours following their burning of the Capitol, the Treasury and the President’s house. Francis Scott Key – then a 35-year-old young lawyer, watched the relentless bombardment all night. At early dawn when the smoke cleared, he saw the star-spangled banner still fluttering at Fort McHenry- instead of the Union Jack, announcing American victory! An emotional Scott put his thoughts into a poetic rendition that was published by the Baltimore Patriot, spreading quickly across the nation, with veteran groups collecting 5 million signatures to formalize it through House Judiciary Committee, now immortalized into the national anthem.
General George Armistead’s family gave the flag to the Smithsonian in 1914, eventually making its way from a folded case display to the lobby of the National Museum of American History. As its condition deteriorated over 200 years, it was felt necessary to undergo a massive and meticulous conservation and restoration exercise to save this vital symbol of victory and freedom. It was taken down from display in 1998 and underwent a decade long $7 million restorative process supported by Ralph Lauren-Polo, Pew Charitable Trust and the Congress.
Talking to indica famed museum professional of Indian origin George Jacob, who in 2008 served as the Project Director shared his experience about the production of the exhibit around the flag. He said it’s housed in a huge two-storied waterproof, temperature, humidity, and a low lumen-controlled crypt with dedicated heating, ventilation and a special fire-prevention system that prevents combustion by reducing the concentration of oxygen in the air inside the chamber.
Jacob, who also serves on the Boards of the International Council of Museums United States and US Travel Association is the President & CEO of Bay Ecotarium the Smithsonian Affiliated Aquarium of the Bay in San Francisco adding on, said the exhibition surrounding this chamber tells the story of flag-making and its journey to fort McHenry. It engages visitors with lighting effects, ambient sound, video, and an interactive table with a virtual, life-size image of the flag to enhance visitor impact. A tactile panel with an outline of the flag and a full-sized star aids those with visual impairments. In November 2008, President George W. Bush rededicated the flag to the nation at the re-opening of the National Museum of American History.
Talking about the e pluribus unum [out of many, one] say the flag symbolizes the Latin phrase e pluribus unum[above photo] that was adopted on the great seal of the United States in 1782 as the de facto motto of unity in diversity that defines the essence of the land of the free and home of the brave.
