GUILFORD FLAG

Only portions of this historic flag remain. As a result, there is much debate as to just what this flag represents, or when it was first flown.  The recorded history of the flag begins in 1909 when it was presented to the Grand Masonic Lodge of North Carolina. It was transferred to the State of North Carolina in 1914.

There is disagreement as to the age of the flag.  The use of cotton for the blue stripes, the canton and stars indicate that it dates to the early 19th century.  There is the strong possibility that two additional stars originally present on the cut off side of the canton which would have made a total of 15 stars.  These factors have led to the theory that the flag was originally a rare 15 stars and stripes flag, or an ever rarer 16 stars flag, dating to possibly 1795.  Other authorities point to a Revolutionary War-era drum at the Guilford Court House museum that bears a painting of a flag with 23 stripes.