July 9, 2009

Before renovation work could begin at the Holy Cross Church on
Broad Street, volunteers went into the basement to clear out the
items being stored there.

Holy Cross trustee Steve Myers was cleaning out a back cupboard
when he found an old American flag. He showed the flag to
Historical Society President Ron Yehl and Fr. Peter Zacynski, then
pastor of Our Lady of Peace Parish, who gave permission for the
flag to be donated to the Salamanca Historical Museum.

No one knows how, when or why Holy Cross Church came by the flag
or when it was placed in the cupboard and forgotten. Research
revealed what a treasure had been discovered.

Forty-one star flags are exceedingly rare. Because states were
added to the union at different times during the year, their
representative stars were only “officially” added to the flag on
the following July 4. For 13 years our flag carried 38 stars before
five states were added on July 4, 1890. What a year of unexpected
drama it turned out to be for flag makers.

Anticipating that the Dakota Territory would be admitted as one
state and unaware that Idaho would be admitted to the Union just
one day before the Independence Day dedication, some flag makers,
in a rush to produce the new official American Flag, got it
wrong.

On November 2, 1889, North Dakota and South Dakota were admitted
to become the 39th and 40th states. Montana became the 41st state
on November 8, 1889. Washington was then admitted on November 11,
1889 and Idaho got the nod on July 3 1890 to become the 43rd
state.

Therefore the 41-star flag, now at the Historical Museum, was
never an “official” flag. Indeed, it was actually only valid for
just three days from Nov. 8-11, 1889.

The flag is not currently on display at the museum as it must be
preserved from further deterioration before it can be viewed by the
public. Options for this preservation work are under review by the
Historical Society.

The museum is open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10
a.m. – 4:30 p.m.