Congressman Sarbanes and Mayor McClement To Add Stitches to The Star Spangled Banner Project at Maryland Historical Society

Hundreds also gather to add their stitch

BALTIMORE, Aug. 6, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Thursday, August 8 beginning at 10:30 am, The Maryland Historical Society (201 West Monument Street, Baltimore) is hosting Congressman John Sarbanes [D-MD3] and Frederick Mayor Randy McClement to add their stitches to the recreated Star-Spangled Banner flag.

Congressman Sarbanes and Mayor McClement will join a group of volunteers working on the flag to add their "celebrity stitch." The flag draped out across the workroom makes for a colorful photo op.  The local volunteer stitchers contribute to a good human-interest story with a patriotic twist.

The Maryland Historical Society (MdHS) is currently recreating the 30 x 42 foot Star-Spangled Banner flag that inspired the writing of our national anthem. The flag is an authentic reproduction of the original and will take more than 200 volunteer stitchers six weeks to complete.

The July 4 start of the project was heralded with great fanfare at Fort McHenry National Monument and Shrine in Baltimore, MD, including the 'first stitch' sewn by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

The general public is invited to add their stitch and be a part of this historic project. More than 400 people lined up on Saturday, August 3 for their chance; the second and final Public Sewing Day will be held on Sunday, August 11 between noon and 4 pm.

The completed flag will be flown at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine during Defenders Day on September 14, 2013. During this celebration, the United States Mint will unveil a new 2013 Maryland quarter featuring Fort McHenry and the Star Spangled Banner. The flag will also be used for school programs and other public events in the Bicentennial year of the writing of the national anthem and the defense of the city of Baltimore.

For more details see our website: www.mdhs.org/star-spangled-banner-project

Hours/Admission

Museum hours are Wednesday through Sunday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., General admission to the Maryland Historical Society is $9 for adults, $7 seniors, $6 for students and children ages 3-18 and free for children under 3. For more information, visit www.mdhs.org 

About The Maryland Historical Society

Founded in 1844, The Maryland Historical Society Museum and Library occupies an entire city block in the Mount Vernon district of Baltimore. The society's mission is to "collect, preserve, and interpret the objects and materials that reflect Maryland's diverse cultural heritage." The Society is home to the original manuscript of the Star-Spangled Banner and publishes a quarterly titled "Maryland Historical Magazine." Visit www.mdhs.org. 

For more information, contact Marketing Director Laura Rodini at 410-685-3750 Ext. 322 or [email protected].

SOURCE The Maryland Historical Society