Due to the age and quality of the previous conservation treatment, we were anticipating that the flag was suspended from a Velcro hanging system. What Barrett found instead was that the conservators had attached a Velcro header to the back of the flag, but the installers had chosen to staple, nail, and tack the flag to a wooden beam, rather than using a Velcro slat. Fortunately for everyone, Barrett was able to carefully remove each bit of hardware, leaving the top edge intact. He rolled the flag and later delivered it to MTS. |
Conservation of the flag took place during March and April, 2014, and was documented in visiting conservator Lisa Yeats' blog A View From Down Under. The previous lining and repairs were retained, additional repairs made to that lining where necessary, and the entire flag was overlaid with sheer nylon net. This invisible net protects the many frayed areas and provides preventive conservation as the flag continues to age. When conservation was complete, the flag was rolled and awaited installation in July. |
The most challenging part of the job for the MTS team was getting the flag stitched down to the padded panel within the day and a half allotted. Using curved needles and cotton thread, lines of stitching were placed along every other stripe, around the perimeter, and at each star. This thorough support system, along with the preventive netting, assured us that the flag could withstand vertical display for another 30 years. It was tough work but we met our deadline. |
On day 3, Barrett Keating returned to help assemble the frame and acrylic system custom built for us by Small Corp. Inc. Artex FAS also arrived that day to attach the cleat to the auditorium wall and lift the framed flag onto the cleat using two super lifts. By the end of the day, however, concerns emerged about the strength of the cleat. Reluctantly, the decision was made to halt the installation until the following Monday, when a stronger cleat could be used. Camille drove to Western Mass. on Saturday to pick up a replacement cleat made the day before. On Monday, Camille met the Artex team and installation resumed. After the new cleat was hung, Artex decided that the flag was too large and heavy to be maneuvered by four men. The ability of the super lifts to handle the 500-lb framed flag and the men was also called into question. For safety reasons, Camille asked them instead to unframe the flag and install it first without the metal frame and acrylic. Once the flag was positioned on the wall, the question became whether the acrylic and frame were stable enough to be maneuvered into place without the benefit of the panel system. Again for safety reasons, as well as concerns about the configuration of the auditorium, the powder-coated metal frame alone was attached to the flag panel, and the acrylic was omitted. Light levels were measured at a very low 10 lux, and cleanliness had not been a problem during its previous 30 years on display, so eliminating the acrylic was an acceptable compromise. |
The Museum Textile Services team would like to thank all the professionals who assisted with this historic conservation effort. We are especially grateful to Dianne Rochelle of the Dennis Historical Commission who acted as our go-between with the Town of Dennis and the various committees and agencies that had a say in this project. She and her husband were at the auditorium for nearly all of the four days we spent there, adding important insight and support. Stay tuned for one last blog about the history of the Dennis flag, including Diane's research. |