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Fort Sumter Garrison Flag
Reclaimed Barnwood American Flags

Fort Sumter Garrison Flag

$530.00

Weathered and pitted with history, the reclaimed wood of the the disappearing Midwest barn is both the inspiration and the canvas for Marie Roth’s hand-painted tributes to Old Glory. Each American flag comes with a short bio of the barn where the wood originated and story of the flag’s design. From the Betsy Ross to the 50 star, each flag is truly a unique embodiment of history.


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Marie’s flags are handcrafted and one-of-a-kind. Call us for the selection immediately available or to ask us about commissioning a custom flag.
Dimensions:
49L x 23H

Flag Information: This is the 33 star flag that flew over the garrison at Fort Sumter, SC at the time of its bombardment by Confederate troops on April 12 & 13, 1861.  On April 14, as the small troop of Union soldiers was allowed to retreat with honor, their Commander, Major Robert Anderson, lowered the flag vowing to one day fly it over the garrison again. In February of 1865, Fort Sumter was abandoned by Confederate troops but at the direct order of President Lincoln the flag was not to be returned to the garrison until April 14, exactly four years to the day after it was lowered.  A large group of Union officials intended to sail to the ceremony, including President Lincoln. However, when the Confederacy surrendered on April 9, President Lincoln decided that his attendance would have been flaunting the Union victory and he remained in Washington.  The Rev. Henry Ward Beecher delivered a powerful oration to crowds of Union supporters as the flag was raised and he prayed that, “As long as the sun or stars endure, may it wave over a nation neither enslaved nor enslaving.”  The joy was short-lived however, for that very night at Ford’s Theater, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.

Barn Information: This flag is painted on siding from a barn built in Racine County, WI c. 1877 probably by Herman Frank.  Frank was a German immigrant who began farming on the East Coast but was attracted to the rich soil of the Midwest and the liberal constitution of WI that allowed immigrants the right to vote.  After two generations, this farm was purchased by the Henkel’s. The Guckenberger’s lived on the farm next door and two of their children married. It was their intention to stay in Racine and continue to farm, but Mr. Guckenberger’s dad convinced them that farming was a perilous life with financial disaster looming at every harvest. So, young Mr. Guckenberger and his new wife (and eventually their children) spent the next 30 years in the US Air Force traveling the world.  Like George Washington, Mr. Guckenberger served his country well but always wanted to go home to farm. When his Dad passed away, he divided the estate with his brother and became a farmer. They also inherited the Hinkel Farm and now raise corn and soy on the joined properties.

Our accessories are handcrafted so they may not always be in stock. We will personally advise you of expected lead-times, if any, after you place your order.

Weight 25 lbs
Dimensions 12 × 12 × 12 in