Colors of the Blue: Flags of the Union Army

Visitors to the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center have the opportunity to see and learn about “Colors of the Blue: Flags of the Union Army” in the Group Lobby. Throughout the day, Dr. Lawrence Keener-Farley, retired Director of Education at the National Civil War Museum and a Gettysburg National Military Park volunteer historian, will present brief talks on the flags.

Reproductions of the most common flags of the Union Army infantry, cavalry and artillery units, and the flags designating corps, division and brigade commanders will be on display. Artifacts from the July 4, 1866, “Return of the Colors” will also be on display. The “Return of the Colors” ceremony was when the Pennsylvania units returned their flags to the state in a ceremony at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Among the relics from this event are a souvenir flag carried by war orphans who marched in the parade (perhaps the only surviving example) and a bronze version of a gold medal presented to Major General George Meade.

The display is being presented by the Civil War Dance Foundation (CWDF) as part of its educational outreach programming. Visit GettysburgFoundation.org for special events, exhibits and tours offered at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum & Visitor Center.