Otepaa is like the cradle of the blue, black and white flag of Estonia – the current national flag of Estonia was consecrated and blessed here on 4 June 1884. First of all, the flag was used by Estonian students, then it became the national flag of Estonia and when the Republic of Estonia was created, the colours blue, black and white were declared the national colours. The concept of the museum came from Pastor of the Otepaa Maarja (St Mary’s) Congregation of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church Juri Stepanov (02.03.1952-17.06.2008), who was also in charge of its establishment. The Estonian Flag Room was opened in the Otepaa Rectory on 23 December 1996 to illustrate the story of the black, blue and white flag that is so important for Estonians.