Tea Talk: Unfolding History - The Story of Old Glory

On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, history enthusiasts and tea lovers alike are invited to a unique event - the first in our 2026 Tea Talk series, “Unfolding History – The Story of Old Glory.” The event features John Ryan, Chief Operating Officer of Historic Cold Spring Village in Cape May, NJ. John will help us delve into the origins and early history of the flag of the United States and will separate out myths from factual history. Learn about the stories behind the symbols, colors and designs that shaped Old Glory from colonial times through the Civil War.

Meet the Speaker: John Ryan

With a wealth of experience in living history, John brings a hands-on approach to storytelling. For over eight years, he has worked at Historic Cold Spring Village, New Jersey’s largest open-air living history museum. The museum highlights the history of Southern New Jersey/Cape May County from early colonial days through the mid to late 1800s. Before his time at the museum, he spent 21 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring as Chief Petty Officer in 2016. He holds a BA in History from the University of Maryland and master’s degree in education and history from Southern New Hampshire University.

Weather permitting, we will hold the Tea Talk on the back porch overlooking the beautiful gardens at the Mary Washington House.

Please note that photography is taken at all WHM events and may be used for promotional, social media and marketing purposes.

Ticket price is $40.00 per person and includes a Full Tea with a selection of savories and sweets, hot tea and presentation by our guest speaker. Tickets are non-refundable. Please let us know about any food allergies by emailing giftshop@washingtonheritagemuseums.org