The flag hanging from a 3 story building. Originally, the flag was 30 feet high, and 42 feet long. Pieces of the strripes and one star had been cut out to satisfy the requests of several who wished to be buried with parts of the flag

HISTORY OF THE FLAG:

Over the years the Star-Spangled Banner has undergone a series of transformations. When it was made in 1813 it was a simple garrison flag. After the British attack on Baltimore's Fort McHenry in 1814, it became a valued keepsake in the family of Lt. Col. George Armistead, the fort's commander

THE FLAG MOVES TO THE SMITHSONIAN:When it arrived at the Smithsonian in July 1907, the Star-Spangled Banner was hung on the exterior wall of the Smithsonian Institution Building (the "Castle") to be photographed.

A spectacular view looking down from the ceiling of the National Museum of American History at the Star Spangled Banner and Foucault Pendulum exhibits just inside the museum's Mall entrance.

(Originally 30 ft. wide by 42 ft. long)

This picture shows the Star-Spangled Banner, as iit would have originally looked. It is now located in a special conservation room at the Smithsonian.
NOTE:
The 15-star, 15-stripe flag was authorized by the Flag Act of January 13, 1794, adding 2 stripes and 2 Stars. The regulation went into effect on May 1, 1795. This flag was the only U.S. Flag to have more than 13 stripes.

One of the many original writings that Francis Scott Key made of his poem. Click anywhere on the picture to enlarge it.