233 Kings Highway East, Haddonfield, NJ, 08033

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FLAGS AND DRINKING SONGS
Francis Hopkinson at the Indian King

	HADDONFIELD, N.J. (May 21, 2000) -- A signer of the Declaration of Independence and one of the most important graphic designers in American history visited the Indian King Tavern Museum today to explain the flags and official seals he created during the Revolutionary War. Francis Hopkinson also demonstrated his talents as a composer and performer, wowing the crowd with his own tunes as well as the drinking song, Vanity, written by Benjamin Franklin. (Listen to song. RealPlayer required.)

	Played by re-enactor Christian Johnson, Hopkinson explained how he came to design the first U.S. flag (above, left) in 1777.

	In a spirited fashion (above, left), Hopkinson brought to life the passions of the wartime 1770s. He described how residents throughout southern New Jersey built barrel keg bombs and floated them down the Delaware River at the British fleet in Philadelphia. Other wood debris was used to confuse the King's riflemen as they blasted away at the explosive devices that were precursors of modern naval mines. "We had the British firing at everything that floated in the water and it went on all day long," he explained triumphantly. Haddonfield resident Jere Ablonczy and her twins, Paul and Maria (above, right), listen to the performance that was part of the year-long celebration of the tavern's 250th anniversary. The event was sponsored by the N.J. State Park Service and the New Jersey Council for the Humanities.

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© 2000, Hoag Levins
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