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Commission hears progress on flag conservation project; documentary to premiere Dec. 6
Summary
Staff and a project representative updated the commission on the Save the Flags conservation program, archival storage and a short documentary documenting the conservation and history of 240 battle flags from the Civil War, Spanish–American War and World War I.
The Michigan State Capitol Commission was updated on the long‑running Save the Flags project, which preserves, researches and displays approximately 240 historic battle flags from Michigan units that served in the Civil War, the Spanish–American War and World War I. The commission was shown a short progress film and told a longer documentary will premiere at the Capitol on Dec. 6.
Why it matters: The flag collection is an archival and interpretive asset; conservation and onsite treatment affect how artifacts are stored, displayed and interpreted for the public.
Matt Van Acker addressed commissioners about the project’s origins and current work. He said Textile Preservation Associates of West Virginia was retained decades ago to guide conservation and that the flags were moved from rotunda cases into archival storage at the Michigan Historical Center to stop ongoing environmental damage. "We are, in fact, saving these flags," Van Acker said, describing development of an on‑site conservation lab in Heritage Hall that now allows some conservation work to be done in Lansing.
Van Acker said the production company Motion Possible (producer Bradley Egan) has made a documentary about the flags; the film will premiere in Heritage Hall on Saturday, Dec. 6, with reenactors and the producer present for audience questions. He described an earlier public procession of flags involving descendants who marched them back into the rotunda after restoration work.
Commissioners praised the work and recommended wider distribution of information about the December premiere. No formal action or vote was taken on the flags project at this meeting; the presentation was an informational progress report.
