Help Save Three Civil War Flags

This Giving Tuesday we can do something we've never done before - we can save three Civil War flags and hoist them high once again! We have the amazing opportunity to repair and conserve three flags and then work with our exhibit design team to mount and hang each of them in our museum exhibits for the world to see. Today we're working to raise $30,000 toward the conservation of these flags so they can be put on exhibit and seen by the public for the first time in more than 100 years!

These aren't just any flags, each one of them once flew above our war-torn nation, silent witnesses to the American Civil War. The eyes of untold numbers of that generation once gazed upon the folds of cloth that we now hope to restore. 

Two of the three flags were carried in battle here in the Shenandoah Valley - one by the 5th Virginia Regiment in the mighty Stonewall Brigade, and the other as the headquarters flag of Colonel Joseph Thoburn. The third flag is a pre-1863 United States flag, hand sewn with 34 stars representing the 34 states of the Union. By the end of the war a 35th star for West Virginia would be added, but when this flag flew it was uncertain what the future of our country would be and how many starts might have to be removed from its field of blue.

With your help, these flags can be lifted high, once again, to inspire a new generation with the story held in every stich. Once used by waring armies, we can use them to educate millions, to remind future generations of those Americans, north and south, who fought for something greater than themselves, who were willing to die for these flags and everything they represented.

More than 160 years ago, men literally died to protect the flags that we now are hoping to restore and exhibit . . . this is your chance to stand in the center of the line and join those guarding the colors.  If you join this campaign and make your gift today you'll be doing your part to rally round the flag, to save these priceless pieces of historic cloth, and set them free to fly above a new generation to embolden and inspire once again.  

Like every stich that makes up these three amazing Civil War flags, every dollar of every gift is important. Please join the fight to save these flags and tell their story in a new world class exhibit. Don't let the colors fall . . .