Displaying The American Flag
Before June 14, 1923, there was no standard regarding the displaying of the American flag. After that date the union should always be to the right of the flag. Which means if you are viewing the flag from the front it would be on your left. Since the flags displayed on the wall of the museum are 34 and 35 star Civil War era flags and there was no display standard at that time, it is appropriate for the union to be displayed either to the left or right. I hope this explanation makes the display of the flags clear. Thanks for your interest in the museum and I hope to see you soon.
Previous to Flag Day June 14, 1923, there were no federal or state regulations governing display of the United States Flag. It was on this date that the National Flag Code was adopted by the National Flag Conference which was attended by representatives of the Army and Navy which had evolved their own procedures and some 66 other national groups.
A few minor changes were made a year later during the Flag Day 1924 Conference. It was not until June 22, 1942 that Congress passed a joint resolution which was amended on December 22, 1942 to become Public Law 829; Chapter 806, 77th Congress, 2nd session. Exact rules for use and display of the flag (36 U.S.C. 173-178) as well as associated sections (36 U.S.C. 171) Conduct during Playing of the National Anthem, (36 U.S.C. 172) the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, and Manner of Delivery were included.
The following paragraph explains the proper display of the American flag after June 14, 1923, when displayed against a wall.
When displayed either horizontally or vertically against a wall, the union should be uppermost and to the flag's own right, that is, to the observer's left. When displayed in a window, the flag should be displayed in the same way, with the union or blue field to the left of the observer in the street.
