Flag House Inn

The historic Flag House Inn is comprised of two townhouse style buildings, which were built in 1879 by a Welsh immigrant, Richard Owen Williams. Each of these buildings initially served as a boarding house for young women. Later, the two boarding houses were converted into private residences before they were jointly purchased in the 1990s and converted into a bed and breakfast. Marty and Carmel Etzel, the current owners of the Flag House Inn, maintain a comprehensive collection of flags from around the world. The particular flags that they display on the front porch each week are representative of their changing roster of guests. In addition, the inn's name is also a nod to the Flag House Museum in nearby Baltimore, which celebrates Francis Scott Key's penning of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The Flag House Inn was originally constructed as a pair of townhouses in 1879 by a Welsh immigrant, Richard Owen Williams. This pair of townhouses served as a short-term residences or boarding houses for young women from the late nineteenth to the mid twentieth century. During this period, male suitors from the nearby U.S. Naval Academy (which admitted only males until the 1970s) would call upon the young women who were staying in the boarding houses. Once inside, the suitors were not permitted to go anywhere beyond the parlor. According to a popular anecdote, the mid-twentieth century proprietor, Helen Stinchcomb, would issue a warning to the male suitors (many of whom were midshipmen): "Do you see this line? None of you are to cross it!"

In the 1990s, the two buildings were jointly purchased by Tom and Connie Teigen, who modernized the property and converted it into a bed and breakfast. The Teigens renovated the interior and upgraded the plumbing and electrical systems. They also created a uniform style for the two buildings, which previously had a markedly different appearance and character. In 1997, Bill and Charlotte Schmickle purchased the property, further adding historical details and decorative features. The Schmickles operated a bed and breakfast on site for over two decades.

In 2018, the inn was sold to Marty and Carmel Etzel. Having grown up in the Chesapeake Bay region, the Etzels have retained a strong fondness for Annapolis. They also currently maintain an extensive collection of flags representing countries around the world, in addition to local and state flags. With their voluminous flag collection, the Etzels have launched a new tradition. By flying various flags on the front porch each week, they celebrate the heritage of their changing roster of guests. As a result, locals and visitors alike have come to enjoy seeing a rotating selection of flags waving in the breeze at the Flag House Inn.

About the Inn, Flag House Inn. Accessed December 18th 2021. https://www.flaghouseinn.com/about-the-inn.

Costello, Jamie. The Flag House Making Its Mark on Flag Day, WMAR. June 14th 2021. Accessed December 18th 2021. https://www.wmar2news.com/news/local-news/the-flag-house-making-its-mark-on-flag-day.

The Flag House Inn, Visit Annapolis. Accessed December 18th 2021. https://www.visitannapolis.org/blog/stories/post/the-flag-house-inn/.