The War Flags Collection at the Michigan State University Museum

The flags in the War Flags Collection evoke the stories of soldiers and their families. They represent a unit’s pride and courage, their rallying point in battle and the source of many heroic deeds. Some of them were the last symbols of a dying nation; others represented the hope for a new beginning. In the end, these flags are a reminder of friends lost and of a country saved.More info :https://ultimateflags.com/collections/war-flags/

These historic artifacts have survived for more than 140 years. But time and poor storage conditions have taken their toll. The crowded, light-deficient cases on the first floor of the Capitol have allowed dirt to accumulate and deteriorate fibers over the years. Gravity stresses the rolled, vertical flags, and a century of exposure to natural and artificial light has caused the colors to fade.

War Flags Collection: Symbols of Struggle, Sacrifice, and Sovereignty

Upon the end of the Civil War, veterans returned their regimental flags to the state as their proudest possessions. Throughout the decades that followed, they would often visit the Capitol in Lansing to catch a glimpse of their beloved flags in the shallow cases in which they had been entombed.

Now, as the War Flags are shipped out for conservation for $30,375, the museum staff is busy planning for their return. The first step will be to create a new display system that balances support and visibility. Currently, the flags are lying flat on the floor of the case, but they will be mounted on a sloped surface to reduce stress and allow them to stand up.