Beth Allen inside Sensorium Emporium with the first two flags submitted for the store’s planned display of flags belonging to members of the community. (Photo by Brian Donohue. Click to enlarge.)
By BRIAN DONOHUE
The shop is asking members of the community to loan their flags for a display commemorating America 250, the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding.
“It’s just a little act of patriotism, and I think it’s really neat,” Allen said Friday as she showed off the first two flags hanging inside the store, which sells items like handmade soaps and plants and hosts regular live music and comedy nights.
A press release announcing the effort reads:
“The shop, known for its blend of handmade soaps, essential oils, and community performances, is seeking “Old Glory” in all its forms.
Whether it is a flag that flew over a family homestead for generations, an antique with a unique star pattern, or a banner with profound emotional significance to a local veteran or family, the organizers want to showcase the diverse heritage of the Red Bank and the larger Monmouth County community.”
“As we approach this historic 250th milestone, we want to look up at our original tin ceilings and see more than just architecture—we want to see the literal fabric of our community’s history,” Allen said in the press release.
The first two flags hanging from the store’s century-old stamped tin ceiling include a 48-star flag Allen said had flown over a US Naval base. The second is a smaller 46-star flag said to have a bullet hole. (There are a few holes so it’s hard to tell which one it is.)
One of the flags belongs to Marta Quinn, who told redbankgreen in an email that it has been passed down through generations of her family, which for 80 years owned owned and operated PL Custom Emergency Vehicles in Manasquan, New Jersey.
For 80 years, the company manufactured ambulances and fire rescue vehicles for hospitals, towns, and medical facilities across the country.
“It has been a symbol of honor for generations, and we’ve always treated it with the greatest respect—raising it high and preserving its history and legacy,” she wrote. “It is a true privilege to share its beauty and the story of care, courage, and service it embodies.”
When the exhibit is complete, Allen said each flag will be displayed with a card explaining the story behind it.
The display, dubbed “250 Years of Stars and Stripes” will run through the Independence Day season.
Residents who wish to loan a flag for the exhibition are encouraged to visit the store during business hours or contact Allen at 732-439-1851 or via email: [email protected].
redbankgreen editor Brian Donohue may be reached via email at [email protected] or by calling or texting 848-331-8331.
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