“We preserve and show these things because they tell stories that are still relevant today.”

By Kaitlin Rowell

The U.S. Naval Academy Museum will hold a viewing of an historic British Royal Standard this Saturday, Apr. 7, in Dahlgren Hall located at the U.S. Naval Academy, in Annapolis, Md.

The flag, which flew over York (Toronto), Canada, was captured by American invaders during the War of 1812.

More than 1,700 U.S. troops supported by a fleet of 14 vessels overran the city on April 27, 1813. The outnumbered British garrison inflicted heavy casualties on the invaders before retreating east towards Kingston. Among the dead was the U.S. commander, Zubulon Pike, who was struck down by a slab of debris from an exploding powder magazine detonated by the fleeing redcoats. American forces occupied York for two days before sailing home.

The U.S. Naval Academy preserves and exhibits more than 150 captured flags and hundreds of other historic banners.

This marks the first time since the 1880s that the flag is available to be viewed in its entirety at 35 feet by 25 feet.

“This event is not about our capturing the flag,” said Claude Berube, director, U.S. Naval Academy Museum. “This is about history, the 200 years of peace that have ensued and cooperation between our three countries.”

The British Royal Standard was previously in an exhibit case in the academy’s Mahan Hall, where only a portion of the flag was viewable. Along with several War of 1812 ship flags captured by the U.S. Navy, the Royal Standard was removed after a century for curation.

“Both Canada and England have things of ours in their museums,” said Berube. “This shows that we respect each other’s history and heritage and I think that’s particularly important.”

In addition to flags, the U.S. Naval Academy Museum is responsible for the preservation of 60,000 items in its collection.

“We preserve and show these things because they tell stories that are still relevant today,” said Charles Swift, managing director and Supervisory Museum Curator of U.S. Naval Academy Museum.

After the ceremony the flag will go to a storage unit for preservation. A long term conservation plan for all of the flags is still being developed, due to the extent of the collection.

Conservation funds were provided by the Naval History and Heritage Command.

Kaitlin Rowell is a Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kaitlin Rowell, U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs. (With files from MilitaryHistoryNow.com)