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You are here: Home / Museum Exhibits / [FEATURED EXHIBIT] Before and After: U.S. Civil War Forage Cap

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Before and After: U.S. Civil War Forage Cap

January 14, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

There’s no such thing as a lost cause …

Most would consider this U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum a lost cause. It was infested with moth larvae, mold, and had not been stored properly for many years. After giving it a lot of care, it is now an important and rare American Civil War artifact at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.

This forage cap worn by Private Henry A. Hamilton of Company D of the 10th Rhode Island Volunteers. The fragile logwood dye has faded to a light brown or gray although faint traces of the indigo blue are still visible. These fragile caps were worn to death and so tend to be fairly rare today (particularly when linked to a specific soldier).

In the course of the extensive cleaning and restoration, we made a carefully-sized foam insert with archival materials to ensure the inside of the cap and visor are protected from degradation via gravity. That said, we still wanted it to look natural, as if on someone’s head. In addition, we carefully cleaned away a lot of debris, dirt, moth cocoons, often with tweezers (the cap is too fragile for a vacuum of any sort).

We’re very happy that it’s back on display.

BEFORE

U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [BEFORE]

 

AFTER

U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [AFTER]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [AFTER]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [AFTER]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [AFTER]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [AFTER]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [AFTER]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [AFTER]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [AFTER]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [AFTER]
U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap [AFTER]

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At only $50 per person annually, membership keeps you in the Varnum loop and supports our efforts to preserve U.S. history and educate the public. Members get a monthly newsletter and can also attend our monthly dinner programs that feature authoritative and engaging speakers on historic and military topics. CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW!



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Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, civil war

[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster

December 3, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

In December 1917, a World War I ammunition ship blew up in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. This massive event was listed as the largest man-made explosion in human history prior to atomic weapons and totally devastated the city. Thousands died. Our December speaker, Varnum Member Greg Banner, will describe the background, event, response, and results and discuss aspects of military, nautical, local, and emergency response history.

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

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