EATON — This year, the Preble County Historical Society designed an educational program on vexillology, the study of flag design.

Students first learn about the Preble County Flag, which was designed in 2003.

Travis Lee of Eaton, a 2000 graduate of National Trail High School, had the honor of having his Preble County flag fly over the Statehouse in Columbus, Ohio, among the 88 county flags represented to celebrate the Ohio Bicentennial, in 2003.

Lee’s winning design has 12 stars representing each township surrounding a seal which depicts the county’s roots and natural cultural history. The flag also contains the image of Roberts Bridge, the oldest double-barreled covered bridge in the U.S., and a silhouette of Fort Saint Clair.

The predominant blue color scheme contains white, yellow, green and red, incorporating the colors of both the United States and Ohio flags.

Students then learn more about the Ohio Flag, the United States Flag and the unique designs of world flags.

“I have had the best time teaching this program both here at PCHS during field trips as well as going into the classroom. One thing I noticed was that the social studies classrooms are without a county flag,” PCHS Executive Director Lisa White said. “I believe in learning local history first, so I reached out to County Commissioner Rachael Vonderhaar about getting these flags into the classrooms. She had arranged that donation within the hour.”

Preble County 6th grade social studies teachers will receive their new Preble County flags soon, according to White.