In 1905, the United States War Department, as a gesture of reconciliation following the South's extensive participation in the Spanish-American War, returned the battle flags captured during the Civil War to their respective states. Since the 1950s, Arkansas's flags have been entrusted to the Old State House Museum. During that time, they have been restored on at least three separate occasions, most recently while the museum was closed for repairs in the late 1990s. Despite the best efforts of several textile conservators, the flags remain extremely fragile. The effects of light have proved particularly damaging, so much so that future exposure must be severely limited. This means that the Old State House Museum will not be able to exhibit the flags with the frequency or for the duration that the public might desire. Instead, we are making the entire collection available here on our Web site in hopes of making these important artifacts accessible to all, while preserving them for future generations.
* Beginning in 2011, the Old State House Museum will commemorate the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with five years of exhibits, reenactments, and other exciting programs. This commemoration will include the conservation of two recently-acquired Arkansas Confederate battle flags. Find out how you can help us preserve these irreplaceable artifacts by going to Save the Flags: Civil War Flag Preservation Project.