A Grand Old Flag

Period 14-Star Flags are exceptionally rare, since they were never official and Vermont was admitted in the 18th century—a period from which few flags survive. The wooden toggles, tied to the flag’s hoist strip by a line, were attached to the halyard for hoisting and securing the flag on the pole or mast. Double-stitched hems were often made on a flag’s fly end, reinforcing the ends of the stripe seams. Solid lead washers added weight to stabilize the flag when hung vertically.