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Betsy Ross House Review
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Betsy Ross House
- Address: 239 Arch St., Old City, Philadelphia, PA | Map It
- Phone: 215/686-1252
- www.betsyrosshouse.org
- Category: Museums/Galleries
- Location: Old City
Fodor's Review:
It's easy to find this little brick house with the gabled roof: just look for the 13-star flag displayed from its second-floor window. Whether Betsy Ross, also known as Elizabeth Griscom Ross Ashbourn Claypoole (1752-1836) -- who worked in her family's flag-making and upholstery business -- actually lived here and whether she really made the first Stars and Stripes is debatable. Nonetheless, the house, built about 1760, is a splendid example of a Colonial Philadelphia home and is fun to visit. Owned and maintained by the city, the eight-room house overflows with artifacts such as a family Bible and Betsy Ross's chest of drawers and reading glasses. The small rooms hold period pieces that reflect the life of this hardworking Quaker (who died at the age of 84, outliving three husbands). You may have to wait in line, as this is one of the city's most popular attractions. The house, with its winding narrow stairs, is not accessible to people with disabilities. Alongside the house is brick-paved Atwater Kent Park, with a fountain, benches, and the graves of Betsy Ross and her third husband, John Claypoole.
- Cost: $3
- Open: Apr.-Sept., daily 10-5; Oct.-Mar., Tues.-Sun. 10-5
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