The Wilton Select Board approved a display of Revolutionary War-era flags for the town’s 250th anniversary celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Resident Deb Mortvedt asked the board to accept a Revolutionary War flag display from Mont Vernon for the semiquincentennial events planned for May 7 through 9 next year. The display includes 18 flags used during the war, some antiques and some modern reproductions.

“Some of these flags are very valuable,” Mortvedt said.

The board did not object to the display, but noted that two flags in the display have caused controversy in other communities after being co-opted by modern political movements.

One of the flags, the Pine Tree Riot flag, was a popular 1770s symbol linked to a 1772 riot in Weare in which a mob ran a sheriff and his deputy out of town after officials had arrested the owner of a sawmill for taking large pine trees. The Pine Tree flag was carried by some members of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and became a point of dispute in Nashua last year over its display on a public-use flagpole.

Another flag, the “Don’t Tread on Me” Gadsden flag, featuring a rattlesnake and the motto, has also been used in association with the Libertarian and Tea Party movements.

Board members noted that the flags would be up for a limited time and in their proper historical context.

“These are historical flags, and I understand that they have been co-opted, some of them, for various reasons. And other flags have been co-opted, some people would not fly certain flags now that people used to fly. But historically, they were correct at the time. So, I’m a history buff, I’m all for flying them all,” said Selectman Tom Schultz.

Select Board Chair Kermit Williams said he would not be in favor of a longer-term display, but was in favor of a three-day exhibit.

The board initially approved Mortvedt’s accepting the flags, but then asked her to first determine the value of some of the antique flags and whether modern prints would be preferable to limit liability for potential damage.

In other business, the board discussed access accommodations for Town Hall, particularly the entrance. Williams said a major obstacle to an exterior ramp is the grade, which could require a ramp of up to 50 feet. One entrance has a step from the street but an interior ramp that allows access to the first floor.

The board discussed options, including pushing back a stone wall on the side of the building to make room for a ramp, or installing a lift at one of the doorways.

The board will research engineering firms for recommendations.

The board also unanimously promoted Linda Jennings from alternate to regular member of the Zoning Board of Adjustment.

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172 ext. 244 or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.