House of Flags

from Visitors Bulletin Fall 2020

Hiking Trails

House of Flags Museum

Ask someone who visited the House of Flags Museum in downtown Columbus, NC, and they will probably tell you it’s one of the best kept secrets in North Carolina. And, it’s not just the flags. It’s the stories they tell about the history of the United States that’s most interesting. With nearly 300 authentic reproduction historic flags on display, The House of Flags Museum is the only one of its kind in America.

Visitors are greeted by a locally carved 400 pound limestone sculpture of the “Star Spangled Banner” as they approach the front entrance. Once inside it’s a walk through history as told by our flags in four main rooms - from the Defenders of Freedom and the Birth of a Nation to the Price of Liberty and the United States of America. Discover some of the most colorful flags in our history from our nation’s founders and the Revolutionary War era. Seven different “rattlesnake flags” from the Revolution communicate the sentiments of the Patriots as they fought against the British Loyalists – “Don’t Tread on Me.”

Colorful flags continue to send messages: “Don’t Give Up the Ship” from the War of 1812 and “Come and Take it” from 1835 Texas. One of the most famous flags from the War of 1812 is our “Star Spangled Banner.” Visitors are often surprised to learn about the only flag in our nation’s history to have more than 13 red and white stripes.

Flags of the Union and the Confederacy are displayed along with a surviving cannon ball and family photos from the Civil War. Visitors learn the meaning of the “lone star” flag design from the popular “Bonnie Blue” flag to a number of secession flags, including our state’s first official flag – the flag of the Republic of North Carolina.

Unravel the story of our first symbol of freedom in the Liberty Cap Flag exhibit. What appeared in a political cartoon in a London newspaper in 1763 was also the Patriot’s symbol of freedom in Colonial America. This unique exhibit displays a little known story of the Liberty Cap that remains on some of today’s state, military, and governmental flags and on North Carolina’s official state seal.

When visitors first walk into the USA Room they are awestruck by a huge 50-star U.S. garrison flag surrounded by all 27 official U.S. flags, from 13 stars in 1777 to 50 stars in 1960. They will also find state flags displayed along side of the official U.S. flag at the time that the state became one of the United States of America.

A special display about the President’s Flag of the United States tells the story of hand embroidery silk flag making and the evolution of one of the most beautiful flags in our nation from 1817 to 1960.

The House of Flags Museum boasts FREE admission and gladly accepts donations. This all volunteer non-profit organization opened their doors on September 8th in 2001 in an old unheated building. Today, visitors are welcomed into a modern, fully handicap accessible facility that features a complete Flag Store Gift Shop, a flag research library, and a large presentation room where classes are offered. Groups can make arrangements for special tours, lunch-and-learn sessions, and specialty themed visits. From families and school children to history buffs and military veterans, there is always something that impresses visitors as they discover the stories our flags have to tell.