Why do the flags in the capitol cases need stabilization work?
The cases were intended to display and preserve the flags. The flags have hung in the cases for over a hundred years. During this time, they have accumulated dust and environmental pollutants while excessive lighting and the stress of hanging have gradually weakened the fabrics so that they no longer can support their own weight. The conservation treatments of the 1880s and 1904 were intended to aid in the preservation of the flags but have hastened their deterioration. The conservation treatments included hand repairs, removal of materials and machine sewing bleach cotton gauze onto each side of the flags for support. The gauze held debris and pollutants against the surface of the flag, gauze abraided the field, the stitches created holes, the bleach reacted with the fabrics and the deteriorated gauze is brittle and fractured adding weight to the flags. Today’s stabilization plan calls for the use of inert materials only and all treatments to be reversible. Some of the flags remain re
