APRIL 21, 2026 — The City of Brunswick, Maryland, has formally adopted a new flag titled “Heritage with a View,” the city announced on Facebook last Monday, concluding a year-long redesign process that began in April 2025.
The final design, created by local resident Scott McLean, was officially approved by the Mayor and Council through Resolution 2026-07 during a meeting on April 14, following an initial adoption phase on March 24.
The selection process originated as a community-led initiative to establish a symbol of unity. Following a review of various submissions, three finalists were presented for public consideration in June 2025. McLean’s design secured a significant majority of the engagement, receiving 237 out of 349 total votes, easily surpassing both the alternative designs and the option to retain the existing flag.
Despite the clear public preference, the transition to formal adoption involved several aesthetic revisions requested by city officials.
Most notably, the seven stars encircling the central image were changed from grey to red and yellow to align with municipal feedback gathered after a February 10 council session.
The flag’s iconography incorporates several landmarks and historical references specific to the region. The central focal point is a restored railroad control tower, which McLean described as “a nod to our railroad heritage, while being uniquely Brunswick.”
This imagery is set against a backdrop featuring the Potomac River, the C&O Canal, and a sunset over the valley, a visual tribute to the settlement’s original name, “Merry Peep O’ Day.” The design further includes a Paw-Paw branch, representing the local flora of the towpath, and seven stars that signify Maryland’s position as the seventh state to join the United States.
The new flag now serves as the official civic emblem for the city of approximately 5,000 residents.
