Preservation Maryland

The fourth county on travel experts Diane and Jeff’s twenty-three counties and Baltimore City exploration of Maryland was Cecil County. Their approach continues to be outside adventuring, seeking out trails, rails and different parts of history, preservation, and adaptive reuse that were not explored deeply on their first go around the state. 

In this feature, Preservation Maryland is exploring the unique history of five county flags across the state

The Kent County flag, adopted in 1990, features the Great Seal of Kent emblazoned on a blue background. The seal itself is separated into four quadrants. Counter-clockwise, quadrants I and IV feature the fleur-de-lis, symbolizing France, and three gold lions passant (walking), representing England. Quadrant II features the red lion rampant (standing) of Scotland and quadrant III shows a large gold harp, representing Ireland. Emblazoned in the center is the gold lion rampant of the House of Nassau. The heraldry symbolizes the co-monarchy of William and Mary, King and Queen of England, Scotland, and France in 1642, when Kent County was established. 

In this feature, Preservation Maryland is exploring the unique history of five county flags across the state

The Washington County flag, adopted in 1988, features a portrait of the county’s namesake, George Washington, on a green and blue background split by a bold, red “W.” Washington is surrounded by nine stars, one for each of the county’s incorporated towns. Hagerstown, the county seat, is represented by the largest star. The green and blue reflect the natural heritage of the county: fertile agricultural land, forests, mountains, and rivers. 

In this feature, Preservation Maryland is exploring the unique history of five county flags across the state.

The Anne Arundel County Flag features the county seal on a white background. The county seal consists of the Calvert and Crossland coats of arms, similar to the Maryland flag. However, the Crossland arms use a cross fleur de lys as opposed to a cross bottony (rounded) to differentiate it from the rounded design used in the Maryland State Flag. Above the coat of arms is Charles Arundell’s coronet, a small crown worn by noblemen, with ermine and gold bands. Below the coat of arms are two gold brackets each with a thorn and a red rose.