"Americans will “Raise it Up!” on
Flag Day, Saturday, June 14, and come together to participate in potentially
the largest unified event in American history, turning the national anthem into
“the song that was heard around the world.” High Point Museum is proud to be a
national partner and serve as an official location for “Raise it Up! Anthem for
America,” a global celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled
Banner and the lyrics penned in 1814 by Francis Scott Key after the victorious
Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812. Led by the Smithsonian’s National
Museum of American History from the National Mall in Washington, D.C., the
vision is for Americans across the country and around the world to stop at the
same time at 4 pm and sing the national anthem.
Gail Spink, an accomplished
vocalist with a music degree from the University of Connecticut, will lead the
community sing-a-long at the High Point Museum around the flagpole. She has
been the featured soloist at numerous churches and wedding venues and has been
performing for more than 30 years. Spink also has been a member of various
contemporary bands, most recently you may find her singing with The Tyler Millard
Band out of Oak Ridge.
The High Point Museum staff
will give small flags along with the lyrics to all participants and donations
will be accepted to help with the conservation efforts associated with the
Star-Spangled Banner.
The Smithsonian will host a sing-a-long
event in Washington, D.C., on its National Mall terrace, which will culminate in
a “moment of national unity” at 4 pm when Americans across the country will
stop to sing their anthem. More information about the nation-wide event is
available at www.anthemforamerica.si.edu.
The National Museum of American
History is home to the Star-Spangled Banner, the flag that inspired the
national anthem. Made in the summer of 1813 by Mary Pickersgill (1776—1857), a
professional flagmaker, the flag was originally 30 feet by 42 feet with 15
red-and-white wool stripes and 15 cotton stars on the blue canton. After the
war, the flag was privately owned for many years until Eben Appleton lent it to
the Smithsonian Institution in 1907 and converted the loan to a gift in 1912. Beginning
in 1998, the Star-Spangled Banner underwent extensive conservation treatment.
It is now on display in a custom-built environmentally controlled chamber at
the museum.
About the National Museum of American History
Through incomparable collections,
rigorous research and dynamic public outreach, the museum explores the infinite
richness and complexity of American history and helps people understand the
past in order to make sense of the present and shape a more humane future. It
is currently renovating its west exhibition wing, developing galleries on
business, democracy and culture. For more information, visit http://americanhistory.si.edu.
About the High Point Museum
The High Point Museum, located at 1859 E. Lexington Ave., is open
Wednesday through Saturday 10 am to 4:30 pm and the Historical Park is open
Saturday 10 am to 4 pm. Admission is free. For more information, call 885-1859
or visit our website www.highpointmuseum.org.
The High Point
Museum is dedicated to sharing Greater
High Point’s history, providing perspective for current issues, and
strengthening the sense of community. Our work is guided by our core values of
connection, diversity, fun, and innovation."
A Press Release
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