BREWSTER- On June 14, 1778, Congress created our national flag by commemorating Betsy Ross’ creation of the Stars & Stripes.
Two hundred forty-six years later, on Friday, members of the Southeast Landmarks Preservation Society displayed 22 flags on the historical Walter Brewster House to celebrate the occasion.
Over the years there have been a total of 27 variations in flag design as colonies grew into states making the 50 states that are represented on the flag today by the white stars.
According to the National Flag Foundation, there is a star sewn into a blue background representing every state. The star represents justice, perseverance and vigilance. As for the colors, the red stripes are for valor and the white stripes are for purity and innocence.
Denise Bassett and Nancy Hack, two long time members of the Landmarks Preservation Society noted the magnificent Walter Brewster House located on Oak Street in the village was built around 1850 by Walter Brewster.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and is owned and operated by the Landmarks Preservation Society an event venue and cultural center.
Brewster, a descendant of the Plymouth Colony Brewsters, bought a farm along with his brother and settled in the area around the mid-19th century. The New York and Harlem Railroad was working its way north from New York City, and Brewster not only built a depot, he laid out the village’s Main Street and helped found its first hotel.
After numerous owners, who did not appreciate its historical importance, the building became the property of the Landmarks Preservation Society in the 1970s which renovated the landmark.
