POPULAR AMERICAN FLAG EXHIBIT EXTENDED
THROUGH SEPTEMBER 30, 2003

The Flag Center working with Bay Area schools to further American history curriculum

SAN FRANCISCO, July 31, 2003 The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord & Conflict, an unprecedented exhibition of more than 100 American flags, quilts and related memorabilia now on view in San Francisco's Presidio, has been extended through September 30, 2003. Organized by The Flag Center, the extension gives visitors and school groups an additional two months to view one of the largest collections of historic American flags ever assembled.

Attracting more than 8,000 visitors to The Presidio Officers' Club since Memorial Day, The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord & Conflict is drawn primarily from the Zaricor Flag Collection of over 1,500 flags and related items, accumulated over a 32-year period by Ben Zaricor, founder of Good Earth Teas. Featuring flags dating from the early Federalist Period through modern times, the Zaricor Flag Collection recently acquired one of only two flags recovered at the World Trade Center site following 9/11. This important artifact named the "South Tower Flag" to differentiate it from the only other remaining American flag found at Ground Zero - was incorporated into The Flag Center exhibit last month, along with the story and photographs behind its dramatic recovery by an Ohio volunteer firefighter.

"The positive public response to the exhibit over the last two months, along with increasing interest and requests to see the South Tower Flag, encouraged us to extend the exhibit through September," Zaricor said. "This gives us the opportunity to work with local schools to bring more young people to the exhibit. We've had a number of teachers from throughout the Bay Area express interest in having their students view these flags and memorabilia, and who feel a field trip to the exhibit would be a great way to start their school year. In addition, this allows us to continue to garner public support for the establishment of a permanent Flag Center in San Francisco."

In addition to historic American flags, the exhibit features rare hand-sewn American quilts from the collection of Louise Veninga, co-founder of Good Earth Teas; and an array of flag-related memorabilia from the collection of San Francisco graphic designer Kit Hinrichs.

The American Flag: Two Centuries of Concord and Conflict is sponsored by Good Earth Teas, Pentagram and The Presidio Trust. The exhibit will remain on view through September 30, 2003 at The Presidio Officers' Club, 50 Moraga Avenue (at Arquello), in The Presidio, San Francisco. NOTE: Gallery hours have been changed to 10:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday (closed Monday & Tuesday).
Admission to the exhibit is FREE. Visitor information is available at 415/561- 5500 or www.atthepresidio.org

Howard Madaus, Curator of Flag Center and The American Flag Exhibit in front of a 27th US Star flag, 2003. Right: 50 Star US Flag from The South Tower of the World Trade Center, NY 9/11/01, displayed at The American Flag Exhibit.

NEWS COVERAGE

San Francisco Chronicle, July 4, 2003 Symbols of Patriotism: Whose flag is it, anyway? by Ben Zaricor.

Read the full article online.

The American Flag Exhibit Brochure Galleries I-VI. Click on the page below to view the full brochure.

The American Flag Exhibit List Galleries I-VI. Click on the page below to view the full flag list by Gallery.

The American Flag Exhibit Guest Book Click on the page below to read excerpts from guest comments about the flag exhibit.