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‘Save the Flags’ project advances; documentary to premiere at Capitol on Dec. 6
Summary
Commissioners heard an update on the Save the Flags conservation project, which preserves 240 battle flags; the project produced a short film due to premiere Dec. 6 in Heritage Hall.
The commission received an update on the long-running Save the Flags conservation program and a preview of a short documentary about the collection.
Matt Van Acker, presenting for the project, said Save the Flags began July 2, 1991, to preserve, research and display 240 battle flags carried by Michigan units in the Civil War, Spanish–American War and World War I. He said the flags were removed from rotunda display for conservation after a Textile Preservation Associates recommendation and have been stored and researched at an archival facility in partnership with the Michigan Historical Center.
Van Acker said onsite conservation has expanded since the opening of the Heritage Hall Welcome Center and a conservation lab three years ago. He told the commission the documentary project began about two years ago with producer Bradley Egan of Motion Possible and that the short film will premiere at the Capitol in Heritage Hall on Saturday, Dec. 6, with two public showings planned and reenactors and the producer available for questions.
Rob Blackshaw thanked project staff and noted the flags were marched back into the rotunda after prior restoration work; no formal commission action was taken. Van Acker characterized the film as a way to “celebrate the battle flag program” and to support continued conservation work.
