Eben Appleton donated the flag to the Smithsonian with the wish that it would always be displayed for the visiting public. In 1914 the Smithsonian placed the flag in the Arts and Industries building in a specially constructed glass case. The case did not allow visitors to see the entire flag, but the portion that was visible could be seen up close. Except for two years during World War II when the flag was removed for safekeeping, it remained on exhibit in the Arts and Industries building until 1963.  Eben Appleton expressed great confidence in the Smithsonian's ability to care for his family's treasure. The Smithsonian has honored his wishes and kept the flag on permanent exhibit.  Smithsonian staff removed the flag from its display case from time to time to monitor its condition and to keep it as clean as possible. Here staff carefully vacuum the flag to remove any loosely adhered dust particles. The flag's surface was protected by a screen during vacuuming.  Back to top The Star-Spangled Banner folded to fit in a display case in the Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building, 1940s. Smithsonian Institution The Smithsonian's 1914 decision to display the Star-Spangled Banner with the blue canton in the right-hand corner made visible the red A and the flag's inscriptions. By 1923 the flag code deemed this an innappropriate way to hang the flag. The flag code is a series of rules that specifically govern the display and handling of the U.S. flag.