Historic Philadelphia Inc

“The organization maintains a collection at the betsy ross house for the city of philadelphia. Scope of the collections the three-dimensional object and archival collections of the betsy ross house (hereafter brh) fit the following criteria: objects, documents and works of art with documented provenance to betsy ross, from any period of her lifetime. Objects, documents and works of art with documented provenance to the children, close relatives or other descendents of betsy ross. Appropriate 18th-century objects and reproductions of 18th-century objects to furnish and further the interpretation of the brh, a middling class urban row home and upholstery shop. Objects, documents and works of art that record or illustrate betsy ross, and/or the development of the betsy ross story from the 18th-century through the present. Objects, documents and works of art that record or illustrate the flags of the american colonies and the american flags that were in use during the lifetime of betsy ross (1752 to 1836). Objects, documents and works of art that record or illustrate the history of the house at 239 arch street, from the year it was built (c. 1740), through the present. Objects, documents and works of art that record or illustrate the history of the american flag house and betsy ross memorial association, the organization that founded the brh. Mission statement the american flag house and betsy ross memorial, also known as the betsy ross house, is dedicated to the preservation, maintenance and administration of this historic site and acknowledges the significance of betsy ross in american history. Through interpretation and scholarship, our goal is to educate the public concerning the role played by betsy ross, a colonial middle-class woman in philadelphia. Furthermore, this site will be recognized as an integral part of the old city neighborhood, the historic district and the museum community. Statement of importance of collections at the betsy ross house the objects in the permanent collection at the betsy ross house are an integral part of the educational interpretation that the house provides to the public. The objects are preserved in public trust in perpetuity for future generations to see, examine, research and explore. The betsy ross house?s newly created archives offers the professional researcher a chance to thoroughly examine its holdings, including documents related to the founding of the museum, the initial charters, letters to and from the first curator, blueprints of the historic restoration of the building, etc. Welcoming over 200,000 visitors a year, many of whom are schoolchildren, the betsy ross house staff strives to interpret the life of betsy ross through object-based epistemology. Only by standing in the house that betsy lived in when she made the american national flag, and seeing the objects that were vital to its creation - like betsy's personal eyeglasses ? Can the visitor begin to feel the magic of the authentic museum experience. In addition, the permanent collection holds such exceptional objects as flags created by betsy's daughters and granddaughters, furniture betsy owned including a chippendale chair, a highboy, and a family bible. These objects are irreplaceably unique and unequivocally important to preserve for future generations hoping to understand the life of a middle class widow who undertook the creation our nation's most significant national symbol. Not only do the objects tell the story of betsy ross, but they also speak of the trials of women in history, of class struggle in early america, and of our nation's character. Through the careful preservation and interpretation of these objects, betsy's story will remain an essential part of our national identity. As stated in the ethics policy of the american association of museums: taken as a whole, museum collections and exhibition materials represent the world's natural and cultural common wealth. As stewards of that wealth, museums are compe”

“Direct fundraising expenses”

“Direct fundraising expenses”