Old Glory flag

Description:

The name "Old Glory" was loudly proclaimed in 1824 by Captain William Driver as he hoisted the flag given to him as a birthday present. The flag would accompany Driver on his numerous voyages around the world. When he gave up seafaring and moved inland to Nashville, Tennessee in 1837, Driver continued to display the flag proudly by hanging it from a locust tree. He even updated the flag in 1861 to reflect thirty-four stars and added an anchor in the corner to indicate his sea service. When Tennessee seceded from the Union, Driver had the foresight to hide the flag and had his daughter conceal it inside a quilt, which was overlooked in numerous raids on his house. Old Glory remained in the quilt until February 25, 1862 when Ulysses S. Grant captured Fort Donelson and occupied Nashville. On that day Driver uncovered the flag, marched through the streets to the capitol building, climbed to its dome, and hoisted the flag for all to see.

Date Made: 1824Associated Date: 1862-02- 25

Location: Currently not on view

Associated Place: United States

See more items in: Military and Society: Armed Forces History, General, Civil War, Military

Exhibition:

Exhibition Location:

Credit Line: Mary J. D. Roland

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: AF.32605Catalog Number: 32605Accession Number: 69281

Object Name: flagOther Terms: flag; National; Military; 34 Stars

Physical Description: bunting (overall material)Measurements: overall: 202 1/2 in x 110 in; 514.35 cm x 279.4 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a2-b3a1-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_463145

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.