Protection of the Flag Monument, fixed construction in Pennsylvania, United States of America
The Protection of the Flag Monument is a war memorial in Academy Park in Athens, Pennsylvania, made of granite and bronze. The sculpture shows a wounded soldier holding his rifle alongside a young drummer boy, both rendered in Classical Revival style.
The monument was designed between 1900 and 1902 by the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead & White, with the sculpture created by artist George Thomas Brewster. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001 and was donated by Joseph and Charlotte Stickler to honor soldiers who defended the flag.
The monument depicts a wounded soldier standing beside a barefoot drummer boy, reflecting how the community understood sacrifice and youth during wartime. This pairing represents the shared burden of defending the nation's flag across different ages.
The monument is located in Academy Park and is easily reached from the main street via a sidewalk or brick pathway. The site has no commercial facilities, restrooms, or WiFi, so visitors should bring what they need and dress for the weather.
The donors Joseph and Charlotte Stickler had deep ties to Athens: Charlotte's family, the Snells, were among the town's earliest settlers, and her father Captain John Snell was one of the first white children born in Bradford County. This family connection to local history made the monument's dedication a personal act of remembrance for the Sticklers.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
