The Betsy Ross House sits up against the sidewalk in Philadelphia’s Old City. It might be easy to miss amidst all the other historic buildings if you aren’t paying attention. You enter via a shaded courtyard that leads into a gift shop where you purchase tickets and access the home.
As part of this self guided tour, you learn that this place we call the Betsy Ross House never actually belonged to the Ross family. In fact, she and her husbands never owned a home. This house was owned by Hannah Lithgow, a widow, who rented rooms in her home. Today, we might call it a boarding house.
The house has been restored to how it might have looked when Betsy lived there and they know which room likely belonged to Betsy. The fact it was purchased and preserved for prosperity in the late 19th century saved this building from the many travesties performed on old homes in the 20th century. Still, it sounds like there were some issues to contend with like a window that had been converted into a door for a balcony that was added on at some point. The fireplace in Betsy’s room had been covered up and wood was salvaged from the floors for other projects.
While American school children are well familiar with the name Betsy Ross and the role she played in creating the first American flag, this wasn’t always the case.
It wasn’t until 1870, when her grandson William Canby delivered a speech to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania that her story was shared publicly. Before that, it was told within her own family and their circle of friends.
By 1898 this Arch Street home had been identified as the place where Betsy lived and it was purchased jointly by Charles Weisgerber, the American Flag House and Betsy Ross Memorial Association.
I asked a docent about her favorite piece in the house and she was quick to tell us to look for something we might not have noticed. Betsy’s own sewing box is located in her bedroom. It’s on the floor, next to the flag that’s draped over her work chair.
Something to note about that flag is that there was no U.S. Flag Code in Betsy Ross’ time. There’s a sign that explains they chose to display the flag across a chair and the floor to give an accurate representation of what it would be like to stitch such a large, bulky flag. This one is a ten foot flag, a common size in the 18th century.
Never fear! The flag is not actually touching the floor. In compliance with our modern Flag Code, there is a cloth underneath the flag to prevent it from actually touching the floor.
This is a self guided tour and there’s not a ton to see or touch. However, I highly recommend the tour. First of all, there is a Betsy Ross reenactor who clearly is a skilled seamstress. She does a lovely demonstration and can answer all manner of questions about the flag, about things related to sewing and about Betsy Ross. She breathes life into this human being.
Plus, there’s something special about roaming the home of one of our nation’s most famous people who didn’t live in the limelight. She lived quietly, performing her patriotic duty without seeking fame or fortune. We got to walk the narrow curved steps she traveled each day and we got to breathe the air of a home that was designated as historic a century and a half ago. Guys, her sewing box was on display for all the world to see!
It is a lovely experience and inexpensive too. There are few barriers to prevent an active imagination from running wild with the promise of the history that was made here. Go see it or at least check it out online.
They have activities and live performances throughout the day. Be sure to also stop and pay your respects at Betsy’s grave.
Yesterday I told you about my quest to Hillbilly Hotdogs in West Virginia. Since we were driving all that way, I suggested we visit the Heritage Farm Museum just twenty minutes down the road.
There are seven museums that tell the story of life in Appalachia through the years. Technology, transportation, toys and West Virginia industry are among the topics discussed in these museums. They also have a petting zoo and a tractor-pulled wagon train ride tour that are part of your admission ticket.
There’s plenty for kids to do and more adventurous souls might enjoy some of their adventure activities like the zip line tour or rock climbing wall which are offered for an additional price.
Once in the treehouse, you have great views of the village and there are a few other fun things to do from up there.
They do serve food on site and have clean restrooms. This is the kind of place where you could spend a few hours like we did or pass an entire day. I have camera photos and a few more stories to share from here another day so stay tuned. Meanwhile, visit 
On Saturday, I headed up to Roscoe Village for a tour and canal boat ride. Roscoe is a popular living history community in Coshocton, Ohio that easily provides a day’s worth of entertainment.
The bulk of the town is occupied by private shops and restaurants which visitors can enjoy without a tour ticket. However, there are some locations staffed by costumed interpreters like a blacksmith and a print shop where I especially enjoyed seeing a printing press demonstrated.
For other tour spots that aren’t staffed, your admission ticket gets you a key fob that grants you access to buildings where you can explore at your leisure with the help of a kiosk video. I liked these because I typically didn’t have to share the spaces with others and it felt like stepping into a time capsule.
And I just really liked the feel of the tree lined streets. Save for the modern traffic and clothes, it felt like stepping into a nineteenth century painting.
The experience reminded me of a miniature Colonial Williamsburg without the solders.
If you go, be sure to watch the introduction video at the visitors center. It is short but informative. Here you can buy your tour and boat ride tickets. The restrooms are clean too!