Abraham Lincoln's Casket Flag Finds A New Home At Historic NYC Steakhouse

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Keens Steakhouse in New York City has acquired the flag that covered Abraham Lincoln's casket during his funeral procession in 1865. The restaurant, which is over 140 years old and known for its collection of Americana memorabilia, purchased the historic flag at auction in 2024 for $656,250. Keens has installed the flag in its Lincoln Room, where it will be on permanent display for guests to view.

Why it matters

The acquisition of Lincoln's casket flag is a significant historical event, as the flag has not been publicly displayed since it was rediscovered in 2023 at a museum in Florida. Keens Steakhouse, with its reputation as a destination for Americana enthusiasts, provides an appropriate home for this important piece of American history.

The details

The flag was originally made by Annin and Company, the oldest and largest flag maker in the United States, and traveled with Lincoln's funeral procession in 1865. It was rediscovered in 2023 behind a bookshelf at the Museum of Southern History in Jacksonville, Florida. Keens' current owner, Tilman Fertitta, purchased the flag at auction in 2024 for $656,250. The restaurant has hired a lighting designer and an antique consultant to properly display the flag in the Lincoln Room, where it will be a permanent exhibit.

• The flag was rediscovered in 2023 at the Museum of Southern History in Jacksonville, Florida.
• Keens Steakhouse purchased the flag at auction in 2024 for $656,250.
• Keens unveiled the flag in its Lincoln Room on February 12, 2026, during a birthday party for Abraham Lincoln.

What’s next

Keens Steakhouse plans to continue displaying the Lincoln casket flag as a permanent exhibit in its Lincoln Room, allowing visitors to view this historic piece of Americana.