Star-Spangled Banner Flag House
844 E. Pratt St., Jonestown, Baltimore, MD, 21202
Travel back to the early 1800s at Baltimore’s Star-Spangled Banner Flag House. This was the home and workspace of Mary Pickersgill in 1813, when she sewed the flag that flew over Fort McHenry and inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that would later become the national anthem.
The basics
A National Historic Landmark, the house is filled with original early 19th-century artifacts and personal family belongings, so much so that it looks much as it did when Pickersgill called it home. In the building next door, visitors can view exhibits on the War of 1812 and the Battle of Baltimore and see the original receipt for the Star-Spangled Banner. There is also a kid-focused area, the Children’s Discovery Gallery, where little ones can learn while having fun with activities such as designing their own flag and playing with popular toys from the past.
Things to know before you go
- All tours of the Flag House are self-guided, but audio tours are available on request.
- Due to the age of the building, some areas are not wheelchair accessible.
- Children under the age of six can enter free of charge.
How to get there
The museum is in eastern Baltimore’s downtown area, in the Jonestown neighborhood and adjacent to Little Italy. Street parking is free throughout the Jonestown and Little Italy neighborhoods, and the PMI parking garage is located across from the Flag House. The CityLink Orange route bus stops a quick walk away.
When to get there
The Star-Spangled Banner Flag House is open Tuesday to Saturday, from mid-morning through late afternoon. Saturdays are typically busiest, though sometimes school groups fill the small building on weekday afternoons. Check the museum’s website for current information on special events and holiday closures.
The Star-Spangled Banner
The original Star-Spangled Banner is not held at the Flag House. However, visitors to Baltimore need only make a short trip to Washington D.C to see it, as the flag is one of the most treasured artifacts at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History. The museum may be reached within an hour’s drive from the Flag House or a 1-hour train trip from Baltimore’s Penn Station.
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