WESTFORD — Three finalists were named at the end of last month, after the Massachusetts state government asked residents for a new design for the state flag and seal, receiving over 1,000 submissions.
Massachusetts’ state flag has been a subject of recent discussion among lawmakers, ever since former governor Charlie Baker signed a bill establishing a special commission to change the state flag and seal in 2021.
The commission was created following the approval of senate bill S.1877, which invited native leaders from the Wampanoag, Nipmuc, and Massachusett nations to sit with state legislators, historians, and other appointees on a 19-member panel.
Activists arguing in favor of changing the state flag and seal said indigenous leaders have been calling for change for over 50 years, arguing that the flags Native American depiction is seen by many as a symbol of violence against indigenous people, and a memorial to the violent colonization of their homelands.
The state seal was adopted in 1780 — while the state flag, which contains the state seal, was adopted in 1908 — and only changed once in 1971.
Following two unsuccessful attempts to change the state flag and seal in 2022 and 2023, as well as a University of Massachusetts Amherst poll showing limited support for the change among Massachusetts residents, the issue fell under the radar.
However, in July of 2024, Gov. Maura Healey signed a budget amendment to change the state flag, seal, and motto, with public submissions accepted during last May and June — resulting in 48 semi-finalists.
WestfordCAT spoke to Linda Greene, the director of Westford’s museum and historical society, and asked her what her thoughts were on the state flag and seal, and if a change was necessary.
“I’m a fan, I love the Massachusetts state flag,” Greene said. “That’s the flag that’s represented the state I was born in and lived in for most of my entire life. You know, I think that the symbolism on the flag reflects the history of Massachusetts. You’ve got the Native American in the middle of the flag, in the middle of the shield. That always reminded me of the first Thanksgiving and the Pilgrims, and that type of representation, that type of symbolism that represents Massachusetts. The sword and the arm, with liberty and the revolution, dating back to 1775, 1776, when the Revolutionary War was a big impact here in Massachusetts. I think those are two very strong symbols of Massachusetts, and represents the state very well. I think more than replacing the flag, maybe we need to just do a little more education about what all these symbols mean and what they represent in our history.”
A new state flag, seal and motto will be chosen following public input sessions held through October, with the seal, flag and motto advisory commission set to present its final recommendations for the design to Healey and the state legislature in December.
