Wide Awake Flag
MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1889
MediumHand-stitched; silk, paint, bullion fringe, wood, metal, gold wrapped cord and tassels
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width): 48 1/2 x 68in. (123.2 x 172.7cm)
ClassificationsTextiles
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number1950.530.0
DescriptionWhite silk flag consisting of a painted eye of the Wide Awakes of Hartford, Connecticut. The flag is a dark white or cream silk that was most likely a cream colored silk originally but has faded and darkened with time.
In the center of the flag is a large eye painted in brown, white and black. Painted in gold, and bordered in black paint, above the eye is the word "ORIGINAL". Painted in the same manner below the eye is, "WIDE AWAKES. / HARTFORD, CONN. / Organized, March 7th 1860". The eye and message is not repainted on the reverse side of the flag, but it does show through to the reverse side, and it is legible although it is reversed. The flag is bordered on three sides by gold colored bullion fringe that is hand sewn onto the front side, with the fringe running along the bottom and top edges of the sleeve. The hoist end of the flag is a sleeve that is currently around its original pole. There is a leather tab with a hole in it, sewn to the bottom section of the sleeve. Although not currently attached to the pole, there is a screw on the pole that the leather tab would have been attached to in order to secure the flag to the pole. At the top of the sleeve is a similar tab, although it is inside of the sleeve as opposed to the bottom one, which is outside of it.
At the top of the pole is a gold painted brass eagle finial. The eagle has its wings outstretched and its beak open. There is a small hole in the beak of the eagle in which there is tied a red, white, and blue ribbon. Wrapped around the eagle is a cord wrapped in gold thread that contains two tassels of gold bullion. The tassels have a wooden base and are wrapped in gold thread, and have different sizes of gold colored bullion fringe that hangs from them.
NotesHistorical Note: This flag was reportedly carried by the Wide Awakes during an excursion to Washington, D.C. for the Presidential inauguration parade of Benjamin Harrison on 4 March 1889.In the center of the flag is a large eye painted in brown, white and black. Painted in gold, and bordered in black paint, above the eye is the word "ORIGINAL". Painted in the same manner below the eye is, "WIDE AWAKES. / HARTFORD, CONN. / Organized, March 7th 1860". The eye and message is not repainted on the reverse side of the flag, but it does show through to the reverse side, and it is legible although it is reversed. The flag is bordered on three sides by gold colored bullion fringe that is hand sewn onto the front side, with the fringe running along the bottom and top edges of the sleeve. The hoist end of the flag is a sleeve that is currently around its original pole. There is a leather tab with a hole in it, sewn to the bottom section of the sleeve. Although not currently attached to the pole, there is a screw on the pole that the leather tab would have been attached to in order to secure the flag to the pole. At the top of the sleeve is a similar tab, although it is inside of the sleeve as opposed to the bottom one, which is outside of it.
At the top of the pole is a gold painted brass eagle finial. The eagle has its wings outstretched and its beak open. There is a small hole in the beak of the eagle in which there is tied a red, white, and blue ribbon. Wrapped around the eagle is a cord wrapped in gold thread that contains two tassels of gold bullion. The tassels have a wooden base and are wrapped in gold thread, and have different sizes of gold colored bullion fringe that hangs from them.
Status
Not on view
