http://worldcat.org/entity/work/id/68907743

Wisconsin Civil War battle flag collection

Records and photographs relating to the conservation of the collection of Wisconsin Civil War battle flags held by the Wisconsin Veterans Museum (WVM). Records include correspondence with conservationists, flag scholars and experts, and potential donors. Forms and conservation sketches show how conservationists, particularly Welter Studio, assessed the condition of the flags, proposed treatments, and charged for their work. Collected information documents popular methods in conservation and storage that the WVM considered. Papers relating to the flag of the 1st Tennessee convey the controversy that took place when the State of Tennessee asked the WVM to return the flag, and correspondence and newspaper clippings reveal the eventual compromise of a long-term loan. Fundraising records document the extreme effort to acquire the funds to conserve the flags. Correspondence with fraternal organizations, local businesses, communities, and other groups with an interest or connection to a particular flag document extensive fundraising efforts done in the 1980s and 1990s. Other financial records reveal matching state funds for conservation of the flags. Publicity for the conservation effort includes newspaper clippings and journal articles. The majority of the photographs consist of both pre- and post-conservation pictures of the flags. The "before" shots show the immense wear and tear, including holes, tears, and fading on the flags while the "after" shots show the conservation work that was done to stabilize and repair those issues. Color slides and some photographs also show the processes involved in flag conservation. Publicity shots highlight ceremonies unveiling and dedicating several of the flags.

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