Residents of the Delaware Valley in 1982 founded the Royal Heritage Society (RHS) after the consulate office closed in Philadelphia. These lovers of Great Britain sought to retain a local link with the U.K. following its decision to close the office. The Fairmount Park Commission and the City of Philadelphia offered the RHS the use of a historic home for the purpose of maintaining a link with Great Britain which would promote British culture. The Fairmount Park Commission made Ormiston Mansion available to the RHS provided the House would be open to the public at least three days a year.
Over the years the Fairmount Park Commission evolved into the Fairmount Park Conservancy, as it is known today, partnering with the Philadelphia Parks and Recreation Office to plan and manage community outreach programs across the city.
Since 1982, the RHS has accomplished this preservation goal by restoring the house’s exterior, maintaining the interior and the historic grounds while simultaneously carrying out its mission to promote British culture. Ormiston Mansion provides an amiable location for meetings with members of the Royal Family and other distinguished visitors from the U.K.
The British flag is highly symbolic of the makeup of the U.K. The flag flies outside of Ormiston Mansion since the flag known as the Union Jack is the de facto national flag of the U.K. The Union Jack dates back to 1801. In 1606, the British flag began to represent the union between England and Scotland. The flag of England is a red cross on a white background (St. George’s cross). The flag of Scotland is a white “saltire” (an x-shaped cross) on a blue background (St Andrew’s cross). Great Britain and Ireland united in 1801. The Irish flag is a red “saltire” on a white background. Wales is not represented on the Union flag because it was considered part of England. The emblem of Wales is the Welsh dragon which does not appear on the Union Jack.
