A rare American flag that once draped President Abraham Lincoln's casket is now on public display at Keens Steakhouse in New York City — and there's a Texas connection behind the move.
The 19th-century flag has been unveiled inside Keens' historic Lincoln Room after being acquired and carefully restored. The artifact is believed to be one of the flags used during Lincoln's funeral observances following his assassination in 1865.
Keens Steakhouse, one of New York's oldest restaurants, was purchased in late 2024 by Houston billionaire Tilman Fertitta, owner of Landry's and the NBA's Houston Rockets. Fertitta's acquisition brought the storied Manhattan institution under Texas ownership.
The restaurant says the flag is being displayed alongside other presidential memorabilia as a tribute to Lincoln's legacy and the nation's history. Keens has long been known for its deep ties to American political and cultural figures, and the Lincoln Room is one of its most historic spaces.
The restoration of the flag was handled with preservation standards designed for fragile Civil War-era textiles. Details about how the artifact was sourced and authenticated were not immediately released, but the restaurant says it worked with experts to ensure the piece was properly conserved.
For history enthusiasts - and Texans visiting New York - the display adds a new layer of significance to a restaurant already known for its old-world charm and connection to American tradition.
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