The 33-star U.S. flag is one of several flags at Fort Sumter to go into storage for a while/NPS file
In an effort to help preserve the life of Civil War-era flags, several flags at Fort Sumter Fort Moultrie National Historical Park in South Carolina will be removed from the park museum and stored in the dark for a period time to rest.
Fort Sumter’s historic Civil War-era flag collection consists of the Palmetto Guard, the United States 33-star storm, and United States 33-star garrison flags. They will be removed from public display for an indefinite period beginning September 19. It is anticipated that the removal will take two days and the Fort Sumter Museum will be closed during this time.
The historic flags need to be rested for their long-term preservation, a park release said. The exhibition of textile artifacts like flags must limit humidity fluctuations and prevent long-term irreversible light damage that make them progressively more fragile. While all the flags underwent conservation prior to display in the museums, they have been on display for more than 20 years. Despite taking great care to protect the artifacts, they are best preserved when stored in a clean, dark, cool, and dry environment for periods of rest, the release added.
The United States garrison flag flew over Fort Sumter until it sustained wind damage the night of April 11, 1861. It was replaced by the smaller United States storm flag that endured a 34-hour bombardment from Confederate artillery that precipitated the beginning of the American Civil War. The Palmetto Guard flag was the first Confederate flag to fly over the fort after the departure of the United States Army on April 14, 1861.