Preserving Military History
Veterans Day, originally known as Armistice Day, is recognized on the 11th of November because that is the day that the armistice was signed that ended World War I. It became a holiday to commemorate the end of that war and honor those who had served in it. It was later changed to Veteran’s Day to include all those who have served in the armed forces.
There are many museums, archives, and memorials dedicated to preserving veteran’s legacies. I have had the privilege to work at several of these sites, including Gettysburg National Military Park and the Virginia War Memorial. Both of these institutions, as a part of their mission, help to preserve the stories, legacies, and artifacts of veterans from throughout American history. If you happen to have some military history of your own, you may be looking for resources on how best to preserve them, and I am hopeful that I will be able to provide you with a few pointers!
Items relating to military or veterans history can be made of a variety of different materials. It is important to look at your collection and determine what materials your collection is made up of in order to focus on the best practices for each different type. I will be focusing on 3 different types of material that are commonly found in military history collections: fabric, metal, and paper.
Fabric items that could be found in your collections could include uniforms, hats, and ribbons. Textile materials are best stored in a cool, dry collection, ideally in the dark. This dark location can be created by using an archival box that is acid free and allows the materials to lay flat with as few folds as possible. Hanging uniforms is discouraged, because as fabric ages, it often loses the strength to bear its own weight safely. This can cause tears, distortions, or structural damage along the seams. Acid free tissue paper can be used to help eliminate creases. Uniforms and ribbons should be stored flat, in an archival box, and away from light that can cause fading very quickly on old textiles. My grandparents own and preserve the World War I uniform of my great-great-great Uncle Edward.
Hats are a textile material that must be taken care of slightly differently. Hats should also be stored in acid free archival boxes, however, they should be supported so that the crown does not bear all the weight of the hat to avoid the same problems we see by hanging uniforms. The way that I store my historic hat is by padding it with acid free tissue to create a support. A support can also be constructed of acid free corrugated board. It is important to support the hat without stretching it. Because this material can fade as well, it is important to keep it out of sunlight. It is exciting to be able to own such a unique piece of American history! One last thing to note about owning and preserving historic textiles is to keep them away from places that could attract moths or silverfish that eat and damage fabric. Check often that your storage environment does not have signs of bugs.
Metal items found in a military collection could include swords, knives, or medals. Any of these items are susceptible to corrosion. This means that it is incredibly important to make sure that these artifacts are stored in a cool, dry environment to avoid problems like rust. Because the oils found naturally on our skin can be damaging to these types of objects, it is important to wear gloves when you handle these materials. Steel and iron are commonly used to make up swords and knives, and they are easily damaged by rust. These items can sometimes be best preserved by being oiled, but I would recommend speaking to a professional before attempting to oil your collection.
Paper items are also commonly found within a military history collection. These can include paperwork such as enlistment, draft, or discharge papers or photographs. The best method for preserving paper documents is to store them unfolded. Storing them vertically, with measures in place to ensure that they do not bend or slip downward is how I keep my papers in place. The best way to store photos is going to be in individual, acid-free polypropylene photo sleeves. This keeps them from being damaged by coming into contact with substances that can damage the material of the photograph.
Unfortunately, there can also be dangerous items in a military collection. This could include firearms, chemicals, or explosives. If you have firearms that are not loaded and you would like more information about them or how to care for them, I would recommend speaking to a gunsmith or a museum curator who specializes in those types of collections. If there is anything potentially dangerous in your collection, such as explosives that you do not know the detonation status of, it is best to contact professionals. If you have found something like a grenade, it is best to call the police, who will contact an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit. This keeps everyone safe, and they will also be able to tell you if the device has already been disarmed.
Military history collections can be incredibly interesting pieces of American history. It is always best to treat them and store them with the delicacy that they need. If you are fortunate enough to have some of these items in your collection, take care of them and enjoy being a caretaker of this important story!