RALEIGH'S CITY FLAG: LOST AND FOUND

The story of Raleigh's city flag dates back to 1899, when the Board of Alderman (later known as the City Council) commissioned it as a gift for the USS Raleigh cruiser. The ship's crew had presented the Aldermen with a gun they captured from a Spanish warship during the Battle of Manila Bay. Moved by the gesture, the Aldermen contracted a young local artist to complete the flag's design. By the time the flag was finished, however, the USS Raleigh had been decommissioned. Shortly afterwards the flag disappeared from the public record, only to be rediscovered over 50 years later.

As one of 450 municipalities with a flag, Raleigh continues to proudly fly this symbol of its heritage. The museum's newly redesigned exhibit details the story of the flag's creation. And--taking a page from our city's forefathers--it also features the work of a local artist, a mural by Pete Sack.

Raleigh's City Flag: Lost and Found is currently on display in our main gallery. For further information regarding the exhibit, contact Jennifer Carpenter at 919.832.3775 ex.26.