The Revolutionary War Flags Collection, featuring the Betsy Ross Flag, Cowpens Flag, Green Mountain Boys Flag and more, provides a powerful glimpse into our country’s formative years. Each of these historic flags played a critical role in helping the colonies break free from colonial rule and build a nation that would change the world.URL:ultimateflags.com

Many of the flags in this collection feature pine trees, which represent a symbol of the American colonies and their desire for independence from Great Britain. One such flag was the Culpeper Minutemen Flag, created in 1775 to represent a group of militia soldiers from Culpeper, Virginia. The flag was used as a naval ensign on the ship commanded by Captain George Washington at the Battle of Yorktown. This remarkably preserved flag shows the 13 colonies with the ‘Don’t Tread on Me’ snake emblem and the inscription, “Vince aut morire,” or, in English, “Conquer or Die.”

Revolutionary War Flags Collection: Icons of Independence and Freedom

A rare and stunningly historically significant regimental standard was sold at auction by SRNY in February 2018. Four Revolutionary War flags were bought by an anonymous bidder for $17.4 million, well above Sotheby’s pre-sale estimate. The remarkably intact flags were originally captured by Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton, a fiery British officer during the Revolutionary War, and were put up for sale by his descendants 225 years later.

You can learn more about our Revolutionary War Flags Collection and why they were important in the battle for freedom in our exhibits, which include a replica of the Battle of Yorktown, the largest in the museum. And if you’re visiting during Family Day, hands-on activities are available to help kids understand why these flags were so important and how they were made in our Hands-on History Center.