The conservation of the Star-Spangled Banner began in May 1999 and proceeded in four major phases. In the first phase, the team removed the linen support backing that was attached to the flag in 1914. Over the years, this support had weakened and become soiled. The second phase consisted of the most comprehensive, detailed examination of the condition and construction of the Star-Spangled Banner to date. This examination provided critical baseline information for later work. Planning and executing a cleaning treatment for the flag was the third phase. In the fourth and final phase of the project, now under way, curators and conservators are developing a long-term preservation plan, including the design for the flag’s permanent display. In the future, visitors will be able to see the flag in its true condition, as a tattered but treasured piece of our nation’s history.  Ongoing With the conservation of the Star-Spangled Banner completed, the Museum is designing a new gallery that will showcase and protect this national treasure for future generations. Visitors will be able to see the flag, learn its history, and appreciate its significance. For news about the new Star-Spangled Banner Gallery, go to http://americanhistory.si.edu/about/ssb.cfm  September 2005  Conservators have completed the work to stabilize the Star-Spangled Banner. They have removed harmful materials, supported the flag’s weakened areas, and preserved important historical evidence. Here you can see some of the historic mends and the couching stitches used to attach the Stabiltex support material. The fragile condition of the Star-Spangled Banner is evident.  February 2004 – September 2005  Before conservators began the final phase of the work, they realigned the flag, taking out folds and distortions so that the flag conformed more closely to its original shape. To complete the conservation process, they are sewing Stabiltex, a lightweight polyester material, to the back of the flag to support it and keep fragile areas in place when the flag is on exhibition.  January 2004   To document the flag, conservators had it photographed. Because of its size and the confined space, the flag could not be photographed as a whole. The photographer took seventy-four shots. Using computer technology, each frame was pieced together, like a puzzle, into a composite image.  October 2003 to January 2004  After extensive research, conservators developed an effective and safe method to remove embedded dirt from the flag that had remained after the dry-sponge cleaning procedure. They carefully applied a solvent mixture of acetone and water to the flag using a specially adapted brush. Acid-free, conservation-grade blotting paper placed under the flag absorbed the dirt as it was released from the fibers.  June to August 2003 Conservators turned the flag over and removed surface dirt from the reverse side of the flag, applying the same dry-sponge technique that was used on the front. Most of the dirt removed was made up of minute particles of carbon and oily residues. Page   1  2  3 The conservation team cleaning the surface of the flag in 2002. National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution