Patriotic themes have been common in American quilts since the early years of the nation. Quiltmakers have expressed nationalistic pride through specific motifs—such as eagles, flags, shields, and various combinations of the stars and stripes—and by incorporating printed commemorative fabrics into their bedcovers.

According to oral tradition, the Flag Quilt was made at the time of the Spanish-American War in 1898. According to information provided to the Museum when the quilt was acquired, its maker was Mary C. Baxter of Kearny, New Jersey. Kearny was flourishing at the end of the nineteenth century, and the textile industry was preeminent. In 1898, Captain George Buttle of Kearny led a regiment of volunteers to fight in Puerto Rico. Local histories report that when the regiment returned to the town on October 13, 1898, a celebration was held at Freeman Hall. Although it cannot be proven that this quilt was made in commemoration of the war, it was certainly a time of great patriotic feeling among the townspeople of Kearny.

Patriotic and commemorative quilts often can be dated by the number of stars used by the quiltmaker, but that is not possible in this example. All of the flags and the shield in the center of the quilt have thirteen stars, a reference to the thirteen original colonies. The stars and flags have been appliquéd onto the top of the quilt, and the flagpoles have been embroidered in chain stitch.

Elizabeth V. Warren, "Flag Quilt," in Stacy C. Hollander, American Anthem: Masterworks from the American Folk Art Museum (New York: Harry N. Abrams in association with American Folk Art Museum, 2001), 356.