The life of Elizabeth Griscom Ross Ashburn Claypoole (1752-1836), better known as Betsy Ross, is one of American legend. But legends are often shrouded in myth, hyperbole, and even outright untruths. Ross's life at the time of the Revolutionary War is no different. What do we actually know about Betsy Ross? Where did she live and work, and what kind of flags did she make in her long lifetime? How did historical reenactment play a part in American Repertory Theater’s past production of Waitress, and how is a search for historical truth informing their upcoming revival of 1776?
Join A.R.T. and the Museum for a virtual museum visit and conversation with author and historian Dr. Marla Miller and actor Lenne Klingaman (Waitress National Tour), moderated by Sarah Schofield-Mansur, Assistant Director of Special Events & Programming at American Repertory Theater at Harvard University to uncover the facts and fictions associated with Ross and her contemporaries. Featuring insights from current scholarship on women’s history, discoveries in material culture studies, and reflections on Ross’s portrayal in Waitress, this event will explore Betsy Ross’s influence on the cultural memory of women’s contributions to the American Revolution.
