Betsy Ross House 39.9523° N -75.144745° W

Description

This isn’t the same Betsy Ross House you remember! No trip to Historic Philadelphia would be complete without a visit to the home of America’s most famous flagmaker. Meet Betsy in person in her upholstery shop and learn about her fascinating life and career. You’ll learn about Betsy’s undercover activities, her family life, and of course the iconic flag sewing story.

SPECIAL EXHIBITS

Stitching the Story Together: Betsy Ross and the American Flag

Discover the life behind the legend in a new exhibit exploring Betsy Ross and the work that made her one of the most well-known women in American history. From her work in upholstery and flag making to a larger than life painting, explore truths and misconceptions about Betsy Ross and how her story grew from an oral tradition to a house museum visited by hundreds of thousands of people every year.
Generously funded by the McLean Foundation.

Furnishing the Widow’s Chamber

Observe as Betsy Ross stitches a full set of chintz bed hangings for Hannah Lithgow, the widowed owner of the home who ran multiple boarding houses and lived here alongside Betsy. In addition to the hand-sewn upholstery work, other changes in the bedchamber reflect new research and interpretation of Hannah Lithgow and a more open flow for guests.
Generously funded by Dr. Jeffrey Kenneth Kohn.

Women at Work in Revolutionary America

This interactive exhibit highlights the household tasks performed by women in the 18th century, specifically food shopping and laundry, and the women who performed them.


Lunch Notes

The outdoor courtyard adjacent to the Betsy Ross House has tables and chairs and is available as a lunch seating area. No reservations are required.

During spring and summer months, food is available for purchase in the courtyard. Menu selections include hot dogs, soft pretzels, chips, drinks, and more.

Bathroom Notes

Restrooms are located on the lower level of the gift shop / admission area and are available for public use.

Accessible restrooms on the main level are available for public use.

Info

239 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA 19106

+1 215-686-1252

education@historicphiladelphia.org

Sun
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Mon
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tues
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wed
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thur
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fri
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sat
10:00 am - 5:00 pm

Teacher Tips

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Subjects
History, Colonial Times, Revolutionary War, 18th Century, African American History, Women's History, Science, Social Studies, Primary Sources, Cultural Connections, My Community, Social Justice
Activities
Field Trip
Grades
Preschool, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Postsecondary, Adult
Cost
Scholarships Available, Reduced Price For Title 1 Schools
Accommodations
Outdoor Lunch Space

Learning Experiences

Field Trip

General Admission

General admission tickets include a self-guided tour through the Betsy Ross House, including the opportunity to interact with a Betsy Ross interpreter in the upholstery shop section of the house.

Subjects Covered

history, colonial times, revolutionary war, 18th century, african american history, women's history

Grades
preschool, k, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, postsecondary, adult
Capacity
120 stu., 1 chap. per 15 stu.
Activity

field trip

Duration
30 min.

Full Day Field Trip Experience - Grades 4-6

Experience all that Historic Philadelphia has to offer with a fully-planned, guided, interactive adventure where students are inspired by some of Philadelphia's greatest heroes. Visit the Betsy Ross House and learn the full story behind the legendary flag maker. Embark on a Once Upon A Nation Story Stroll, an educational, engaging, walking-tour style program where students play a part in bringing the past to life in the places where history was made. Visit Arch Street Meeting House, a historic Quaker meeting house, and learn about the values that helped to shape Philadelphia. End your day with a visit to another site or museum in the area - we'll take care of the reservation. The experience includes trained Field Trip Facilitators who make sure everything runs safely and smoothly, curricular materials that meet Common Core standards, and designated bus drop-off and pick-up locations.

Subjects Covered

colonial times, african american history, women's history, cultural connections, my community, social justice

Grades
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Capacity
120 stu., 1 chap. per 15 stu.
Activity

field trip

Duration
210 min.

Colonial Chocolate Making

Meet an 18th-century chocolate maker and learn about the history of chocolate in colonial Philadelphia. This demonstration features techniques that were used in the 18th century and includes a sample of American Heritage© hot chocolate drink, inspired by a colonial recipe. Pricing includes admission for a self-guided tour of the Betsy Ross House.

Subjects Covered

colonial times, 18th century, women's history

Grades
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, postsecondary, adult
Capacity
55 stu., 1 chap. per 15 stu.
Activity

field trip

Duration
90 min.

Full Day Field Trip Experience - Grades 7-9

Experience the gruesome history of Philadelphia with a fully-planned, guided, interactive adventure where students uncover true, macabre tales about bloodletting, small pox, yellow fever, and more. Embark on a Bloodletting & Burials Story Stroll, an educational, interactive, walking-tour style program that leads students on a journey through Philadelphia's history of infection and inoculation. Along the way, meet figures who lived through the ghastly 18th century and discover why Philadelphia was an infectious place to be. Visit the American Philosophical Society (APS) for an in-depth, hands-on exploration of the 1793 yellow fever epidemic. Students will discover a hidden gem of the historic district and pick up some disease-fighting skills using primary sources documents from the APS Library. End your day with a visit to another site or museum in the area - we'll take care of the reservation. The experience includes trained Field Trip Facilitators who make sure everything runs safely and smoothly, curricular materials that meet Common Core standards, and designated bus drop-off and pick-up locations.

Subjects Covered

18th century, science, social studies, primary sources

Grades
6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Capacity
80 stu., 1 chap. per 15 stu.
Activity

field trip

Duration
180 min.

Audio Tour

Narrated by Betsy Ross, this audio tour guides you through the exhibit gallery, house museum, and courtyard. Come and experience the birthplace of the American flag as you hear all about Betsy Ross’s life - the businesswoman, revolutionary, mother, and wife.

Subjects Covered

history, colonial times, revolutionary war, 18th century, african american history, women's history

Grades
preschool, k, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, postsecondary, adult
Capacity
50 stu., 1 chap. per 15 stu.
Activity

field trip

Duration
30 min.

An Evening at the Betsy Ross House

Avoid the crowds and experience a unique one-hour evening tour of the Betsy Ross House with Betsy as your personal guide. Betsy greets your group and tells her own story, sharing little-known details about her life. Then, dividing into smaller groups, Betsy leads a private tour of the house, including an interactive visit in her upholstery shop, where you will learn more about Betsy’s life as a working woman, upholsterer and flag maker.

Only available after operating hours.

Subjects Covered

colonial times, revolutionary war, 18th century, women's history

Grades
3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, postsecondary, adult
Capacity
75 stu., 1 chap. per 15 stu.
Activity

field trip

Duration
60 min.