Dozens of local communities joined in on the effort to represent the spirit of rebellion through flag design and display. Schenectady NY was one of those communities.

The Origins of Schenectady’s Liberty Flag

The Liberty Flag of Schenectady began as a homemade flag with the word ‘Liberty’ sewn on both sides. It was made of dark blue material (likely silk) with white applique letters sewed on with a white running stitch.

While many flags are rectangular, Schenectady’s pre-revolutionary Liberty Flag was designed as a square, giving it a unique and distinctive look.

The flag was first displayed in January 1771. It was hoisted onto the top of a 20-foot tall liberty flagpole in the center of the city of Schenectady, in what is now considered the stockade district.

The Liberty Flag was originally raised to show that the original Dutch settlers in Schenectady did not believe that the more recently arrived English settlers had rights to property within the area.

Subsequent Uses of the Schenectady Liberty Flag

Approximately three years later in 1774, the Liberty Flag was hoisted again in Schenectady, this time in a new location. A second Liberty Pole was erected on the corner of Church and Union Streets, and the flag raising was attended by approximately 50 men. While it was thought that this event may turn into some type of riot, no violence or damage occured.

In 1776 and 1777, the Liberty flag was also reportedly carried during the American Revolution by the first New York line regiment, which was largely made up of residents from Schenectady.

The flag also became a symbol of the Sons of Liberty and was replicated numerous times in various colonies and communities to show disagreement with how settlers were being treated by Great Britain.

The Schenectady Liberty Flag Today

A pre-revolutionary version of the Liberty Flag is housed at the Schenectady County Historical Society. The flag is believed to have belonged to Nicholas Veeder, Schenectady’s longest living veteran of the revolution who died at the age of 101. It was gifted to the Historical Society years after his death.

The Liberty Flag isn’t seen as often today, largely because the American Flag is now used to represent the entire United States. However, it is still an important artifact in the history of Schenectady and the US. Replicas of the flag are used by historical reenactors, and some people still display the flag to this day.

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