Flag Conservation Project Begins 

Flag case at the Vermont Statehouse prior to start of Conservation project

July 21, 2003 marked the start of the long awaited Vermont Civil War Battle flag conservation project. The first phase of the project which should be completed by July 26 will be to remove 33 Vermont Civil War flags from the case in which they have been stored since 1871. Time and the elements have caused damage to the flags and the first phase of the project will place the flags in environmentally safe storage. The next phase will be to evaluate each flag and formulate a plan for its preservation. The final phase will be to treat the flags to keep them from further damage. After the completion of the project, some of the flags  most likely will be put back on display. 

This project is particularly gratifying for the 18th VT Regiment, as we are in our third year of raising awareness and funds for Vermont's Civil War flags. The conservation project will be a long and expensive project. For more information on how you can get involved in helping Vermont's Battle flags please contact the 18th Vermont Regiment at   eighteenthvtregt@aol.com

The First and Second Light Artillery Regimental Colors just prior to their removal from the flag case

The First Vermont Light Artillery Regiment Color after its removal from the flag case. This was the first flag removed from the case and is in  good condition with a few tears in the silk.

Members of the 18th VT and the press look on as Michele Pagan and David Schutz remove the 1st VT Lt. Artillery flag from its staff.

The 2nd flag removed was the Second Vermont Light Artillery Regimental Colors. The back side of the flag is shown here after its removal. 

First Vermont Light Artillery National Guidon

The final flag removed on July 21 was this tattered National Colors. It is not known how much of this damage was battle damage and how much was caused by time and the elements.