Tucked in the corner to the left of the senate chamber at the state house is this framed Rhode Island state flag. In 1957 it was flown over the South Pole, the first state flag to do so. According to the wall text:
The picture at left shows the Flag of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations flying over the South Pole. In the foreground are Radioman First Class William McPherson of Warwick, and Commissaryman First Class Chester Segers of Pawtucket, who were members of the expedition which explored Antarctica during the Geophysical Year 1957.
The flag . . . was air-shipped from Rhode Island in February of 1957 and was dropped to the two Rhode Islanders in October 1957. It was the first flag of any state of the United States to be flown over the South Pole.
The flag was presented to then Governor Roberts in 1958.
Rhode Island State House, 2nd floor, 82 Smith Street, (directions)