Betsy Ross House
239 Arch St., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
George Washington supposedly asked Betsy Ross to stitch the first-ever American flag. The seamstress is said to have created the Stars and Stripes in 1776. Today, visitors can explore the 18th-century house where Betsy Ross purportedly lived, examine artifacts from her life, and even meet a costumed Betsy Ross impersonator.
Step back in time on a tour of the Betsy Ross House, dating all the way back to the 1740s, in Philadelphia’s Historic District. Explore the house’s narrow rooms, see 18th-century mementos, and learn more about the life of the famed seamstress on a self-guided or audio tour. Most visits to Betsy Ross House are combined with stops at other Revolutionary War–era landmarks in the vicinity.
Tours that call on the Betsy Ross House are often of the walking variety but you can also visit as part of a Segway excursion or as a stop on a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus.
Betsy Ross House is the perfect destination for history buffs eager to learn more about Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War era.
Visitors with mobility issues can access the ground floor and courtyard, but won’t be able to navigate the narrow staircases and upper floors.
A ground-floor restroom and map of the house are available.
Kids can meet a costumed Betsy Ross impersonator, learn how she stitched the flag, and listen to a special audio guide narrated in her voice.
Pick up Philadelphia souvenirs at the Betsy Ross House’s gift shop.
Betsy Ross House is conveniently located on Arch Street, a short stroll from Independence National Historical Park and many of the city’s museums. If you’re driving, parking is available nearby at the Autopark at Independence Mall or National Constitution Center. There are also ample public transportation options, including SEPTA Regional Rail, the SEPTA Market-Frankford Line, PATCO, and numerous SEPTA or New Jersey Transit buses.
Betsy Ross House is open daily year-round, but closes on Mondays in the winter months. It’s a popular Philadelphia destination all-year long, but the summer months are particularly busy, when it hosts Flag Day celebrations on July 14, storytelling sessions, and First Friday outdoor movie screenings.
Located in the heart of Philadelphia, the Betsy Ross House is also close to a number of other important landmarks from United States history. Combine a visit to the house with a trip to the Liberty Bell, a tour of Independence Hall, or a visit to the National Constitution Center. All are just within a few minutes' walk of each other and can be combined into a full-day American history tour.
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