We have a great many flags and regimental "colours" in our collection. Like all textiles, they require careful conservation. I strongly recommend you contact our experienced textile conservator Helen Holt at [log in to unmask] Helen is VERY good and always willing to help. With respect to displaying the flag, I see nothing immoral about doing that but I think this is a case where you should be guided by the need for conservation (Good grief! Did I really say that? Eeek! The conservators are getting through to me!!!) Harry Needham Special Advisor - Program Development Canadian War Museum 330 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Canada K1A 0M8 Voice: (819) 776-8612 Fax (819) 776-8623 Email: [log in to unmask] > ---------- > From: Mary Margaret Carr[SMTP:[log in to unmask]] > Reply To: Museum discussion list > Sent: Tuesday, June 02, 1998 3:48 PM > To: [log in to unmask] > Subject: Re: Flag Display > > Displaying the flag at your site before sending it to a more > appropriate > institution is a good opportunity to enlighten the local community on > many > of the more problematic aspects of dealing with an existing > collection. > > The story of how the flag was found and how it ended up in your > collection > should be a story of local interest. It will give you a chance to > explain > why it is more appropriate that it go State Archives, hopefully > educating > your constituents and avoiding any bad feelings. A "local boy" makes > it big > story, perhaps. > > > >Richard Fields wrote: > >> > >> I have recently assumed the position as the Director of a historic > site > >> in Oklahoma. While inspecting boxes in storage, I came across a > flag > >> that had been rolled up and placed in an acid free box some 18 > years > >> ago. I have temporarily unfurled the flag on a flat surface as I > ponder > >> what to do with it. The flag is a 45 star pattern with a larger > hand > >> made star affixed to it, with Oklahoma written on the star. I have > been > >> able to determine the significance of the flag, but it really falls > out > >> of the period we interpret at our site (1824-1890). The flag is > soiled > >> and worn, but considering its history, in pretty good shape. Since > our > >> site is approaching its 175th anniversary in April, 1999, I would > like > >> to temporarily exhibit it as a draw for the local community. > >> My questions are: > >> The flag is approximatly 6 by 18 feet in size, and fragile. > I > don't > >> have the space to lay it out flat for the display. Does anyone > have a > >> suggestion on the best way to present such an artifact? > >> How do you safely store a flag that is large but fragile. > >> Finally, am I wrong in trying to dispaly it locally before > I > send it > >> off to the State Archives? I want to preserve the artifact, but > sending > >> it out of the area without giving the local museum visitors could > be > >> considered a slap to the local community. > >> Any comments are appreciated. > >> > >> Richard A Fields > >> Superintendent > >> Fort Gibson Historic Site > >> Fort Gibson, OK > > >