Friday, September 30, 2011

One of the Plaques on the Citadel
The Citadel




First Folks Arrive and Set Up for the Picnic
Open Doors at the Citadel

      
I snapped this photo at a community picnic.  There was a little girl to my right, maybe she was 8.  She was tucked into a corner, at the highest point in the rock structure.  She was telling a little boy, "Look this is the highest point, if a plane came by we just stand here like this and they couldn't see us." She was using her tiny little arm to point at a plane in the sky, while making herself as small and still as possible.  She was holding her breath.  


For those who are wondering, the flag is art and the Citadel is art too. 
Next post, more on the Citadel and perhaps some historical context....





  Grand Union Flag-Still Flying Proud
                                                                                           

Our Country's First Flag


Local legend says that the first flag of our country was raised on January 1, 1776, by George Washington himself.  The design of this flag was not sanctioned by the continental congress, but a design that was commonly agreed upon.  It took British symbols (the crosses of St. Andrew and St. George) and combined them with the thirteen red and white stripes of the colonies.

The cross of St. Andrew is also known as a saltire cross, its the one that stretches from corner to corner.  The cross of St. George is the one that is superimposed on it. This cross is most recognizable as the symbol of Crusaders.  One could wonder why the first flag to represent the unified colonies incorporated British symbols.  Originally the colonies were fighting for fair treatment under the crown.  It wasn't until quite later that a full scale independence movement took shape.



                                                                                    Community Growing Center





Exploring connections between art, the original struggle against tyranny in the U.S., and our local roots.