Conservation work continues at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! Here we are cleaning a World War I field uniform worn in France by a local East Greenwich, RI, resident.
This Bissel vacuum has the perfect attachment for cleaning moth residue without stressing the fabric or seams. It’s slow and tedious work. Every crevice has to be covered. Before vacuuming, the uniform spent several days in a freezer to make sure everything was dead. Every new textile that comes in has to go through this.
The East Greenwich resident was Charles Johnson who served in the 301st Engineers (part of the 76th Infantry Division). He returned home and became the Police Chief of East Greenwich. We also have his leggings and canteen.
