Dear Richard: Can't answer your question about keeping it in your collection - maybe the local community can be drawn in to your site by asking them the same question------- The National Museum of American History of The Smithsonian exhibits the very large flag which inspired Frances Scott Key - vertically - you might want to give their textile conservators a call to see how they did it. Kind Regards Roger Wulff Museum Services International 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