Betsy Ross House — Attraction in Philadelphia

This was a nice stop . We enjoyed it. Almost taking you back in time for a little while. I believe they have different costs for a guided tour or a self tour. It cost us $10 each to go in ourselves on a self tour. They have a gift shop in the front before you buy tickets. Lots of patriotic and novelty items like postcards, books and magnets. The people that work there were very nice and courteous. The house is small and doesn't take you long to see everything. If theres ten people in there at one time its probably crowded. Try and read some stuff. Take some pictures and just soak in what life may have been like all that time ago. The sorta spiral staircases inside the house that take you from one room to another are small , steep and narrow. Upon exiting I overhead one of the tour guides speaking to a group . The way the guide was historically dressed and the way she spoke so enthusiastically made me want to go back in and pay for the guided tour Lol but I didn't. Some people say that Betsy Ross didn't really make the flag. That the story was made up. Hell, maybe so.... either way, I wasnt there to see it or prove it so I have no facts to base my belief on. Im sure there are many stories in books and out that aren't 100% true. Im not fighting the world by calling this story a lie or even trying to hear the reasons it may be. If America is saying Betsy Ross made our first flag... then so be it. Im glad she chose red , white and blue. Im giving the Betsy Ross House 5 out 5. It makes you wish there was more to see and experience but unfortunately, they have no control over that. We enjoyed it. The $20 was worth the short trip...

We loved our time at the Betsy Ross House, which we visited on Sunday, 8/3/25. It was one of the most interesting of the historical sites we visited in Philadelphia. The exhibits at the house are very well done and the actor who played Betsy Ross was fantastic! It was such a nice to touch to see her and really made the history come to life. The home itself is really a step back in time, with steep, winding narrow staircases. Our son asked "Betsy" if she ever fell down the stairs! LOL. She very kindly made and gave him a paper 5-point star when she demonstrated her star-making technique and he was thrilled! It does get crowded in the small rooms. I think a larger person or someone with mobility issues on stairs could have issues navigating. A suggestion that guests be advised to turn cell phones off in the house--I could not believe it, but in the small room in which the actor was speaking to the group as Betsy Ross, an older man was speaking loudly on his cell phone for several minutes about his tour group and where he was, and whether it was a stop on the tour. He was in no hurry to end the call and I could see that the reinactor was having trouble keeping maintaining her concentration. I felt terrible for her. Perhaps a ban on cell phones could prevent such incidents. Maybe a museum worker should also be present in that room as I'm sure that the reinactor isn't supposed to go out of character and ask people not to talk on their phones. FYI--you can buy tickets in advance, but we had no issue purchasing...

Betsy Ross is credited with having created the first star and stripe flag. As an upholster Ross was hired by George Washington to make linens for his home at Mount Vernon. She did provide flags to both the Continental Army and later the United States government.

It is slightly ironic, the story with Colin Kaepernick being upset over the Betsy Ross flag broke the day before we were visiting Philadelphia. We had already planned to visit the Betsy Ross house, as we arrived there was a film crew outside. Trying to get patrons reactions, no one was talking to them.

We found the tour to be short, but really how much can you say about Betsy Ross. Two facts stood out to me; one that she was a Quaker. This means that she probably had strong feelings against slavery. After all Quakers were one of the first groups to condemn slavery in the British Colonies. Second she did not own the house, but was a tenant.

If you are in the area, which if you visiting Independence National Park you will be, it is a short walk. You can stop along the way at Christ Church Graveyard and see Ben Franklin’s grave. There is also a nice little restaurant just down the street, called...