Independency: The American Flag at 250 Years

In honor of Flag Day USA Warrior Stories presents this tour of INDEPENDENCY: THE AMERICAN FLAG AT 250 YEARS, an exhibition at the Southampton Arts Center (May 17, 2025 - July 19, 2025).

INDEPENDENCY: THE AMERICAN FLAG AT 250 YEARS is a powerful and visually striking collection of American flags and historic textiles held by John Monsky. This collection of flags have bore witnesses to watershed moments in American history, and will be featured alongside the work of abstract painter Sean Scully.

Monsky’s flags, represent a lifelong collection that began in his boyhood, and has since served as the focal point of his series of live multi-media musical journeys through history, which he presents at Carnegie Hall and the nation’s top performance venues. His “The Eyes of the World: From D-Day to VE Day,” performed with the Boston Pops from Boston’s Symphony Hall, is currently streaming on PBS.org.

The exhibition, combining both visual art and American history, will feature select flags and historic textiles from Monsky’s collection -- from a 1775 George Washington kerchief and a flag for the candidacy of “Abram” Lincoln to flags from the Apollo Missions, alongside Scully’s work. Insightful narrative, archival film and photography, material culture and historic documents, will enhance the visitor experience.

This tour is hosted by Christina M. Strassfield, Executive Director of the Southampton Arts Center and we are joined by U.S. Army Veterans Tom Guldi, Bob Ettl, Bill Jones and George Motz.

For more information on this exhibit visit southamptonartscenter.org