The State Historical Society’s many historical flags

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – The State Historical Society has a collection of more than 300 flags. They represent North Dakota, its communities and organizations.

When most people think of a flag, the stars and stripes first come to mind. However, flags of all kinds are stitched together to serve as powerful symbols of identity and pride. Local historians want to preserve the material that represents the state and its people.

The State Historical Society has an expansive collection of flags in its inventory, about 320 flags, to be exact.

“That ranges from American flags, foreign flags, military flags, organizational flags, commemorative flags,” said Lori Nohner, research historian. “We have all different shapes and sizes.”

These ranged from the 1890s to the present, and they each have a story to tell.

“Some of the earliest flags that were donated to the museum were from men from the North Dakota National Guard, it was then the first North Dakota Volunteer Infantry,” said Nohner.

Even some notable figures have made donations to the society’s collection.

“We have a few flags from James Buchli, the NASA astronaut who grew up in New Rockford. He took some North Dakota flags up in space,” said Nohner.

They also have within their collection a WWII Gold Star Flag. This flag was flown by your window to signify that a member of your family had died in the service.

But overall, these flags represent our history as North Dakotans and Americans.

“Flags are a visual representation of what’s happening in North Dakota,” said Nohner.

And they’ll live here at the State Historical Society’s inventory, standing the test of time.

Among the ocean of American and North Dakota flags, the State Historical Society also has protest flags and those from different local organizations.

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