Unfurling History: The Remarkable New York State Suffrage Movement Street Banner

At the heart of New York State's Suffrage Movement lies a powerful symbol of women's fight for equality - a political street banner encouraging viewers to “VOTE FOR WOMAN SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT No. 1 NOV 6th.” This banner comes from the Howland Stone Store Museum and dates to 1915, just two years before New York State voters passed Amendment One that granted voting rights to women.

The Street Banner for 'Votes for Woman Suffrage'

The banner, said to have hung in Auburn, NY, is possibly linked to Emily Howland, an influential figure in the Suffrage Movement. Emily Howland's pivotal role in the suffrage movement further enhances the banner's historical significance. Born in 1827, Howland’s involvement in the abolitionist movement led her also to champion women's rights, advocating for suffrage. Her lifelong dedication to social justice and women's rights earned her the admiration of prominent suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

She was honored as a pioneer and leader, financing both the New York State Woman Suffrage Association and the National American Woman Suffrage Association. She spoke at significant events, including the thirtieth anniversary of the Seneca Falls Woman's Rights Convention in 1878 as well as before the New York State legislature in 1894.

Emily Howland

This street banner features four white cotton fabric panels that have been painted blue leaving the letters white, the same as the fabric. These panels are double sided and supported onto a net ground. Yellow triangle appear to have been later attached to each corner of the net ground. Below the net hangs a blue cotton valance, scalloped at the edges, and stenciled in white paint with the name of the banner’s manufacturer: ANNIN & Co. NY. Annin & Co is still making flags and it the oldest American flag manufacturer.

After careful vacuuming and gentle cleaning, the creases in the large fields of the banner were humidified and flattened, making the banner easier to read and protecting the painted areas from stress. The blue fabric valance, displaying splits and deterioration, received special attention.

A sheer fabric infused with a conservation grade adhesive was used to stabilize extensive splitting. A fabric matching that of the original was used to support underneath the most damaged area with a sheer netting stitched in place on top. 

(left) The many tears and weak areas; (right) The tears aligned and supported, before areas of loss were filled.

The New York State Suffrage Movement street banner stands as a timeless testament to the courage and determination of suffragists. With its conservation treatment complete, this banner will continue to inspire and educate, honoring the struggles and achievements of those who paved the way for gender equality.

As we celebrate the suffragists' legacy, the banner remains a poignant symbol of progress and a reminder of the ongoing journey towards an equitable and inclusive society. Its conservation and preservation ensure that future generations can draw inspiration from the bravery and vision of those who came before them.

The banner rolled onto its storage tube and being walked to the truck. Marilyn Post (left), Linda VanBuskirk (center), Gwen Spicer (right).

 

A United States Color Troop's Flag Marker Found in a Small Local LIbrary!

Remarkable historical artifacts can be found in so many places, not always in museums or historical societies. Here is a story of a remarkable flag marker found at a small library in Western New York State. Spicer Art Conservation, LLC has previously treated another USCT flag (read about it here).

The library's director with the framed flag before treatment.   

The flag marker is a silk 35-Star National flag with a 6/6/6/5/6/6 star pattern located in the canton. Embroidered in yellow and light blue silk threads on the strips with "26 / U.S.C.T." The small flag measures 17 7/8" H x 24 1/2" W. All of the seams are flat-feld. The blue silk hoist is a folded over to create a sleeve with four holes that were used to attach the flag to its staff. A small fragment of the fly edge survived. 

Drawing of the flag's construction. In the drawing a small vertical section
of the stitched fly edge can be seen.

The 26th USCT is one of three troops from New York State. It turns out that it is also called 26th Regiment New York Infantry (Colored). The 26th Regiment was organized at Riker's Island, New York harbor, in February 27, 1864. The unit was commanded under Col. William Silliman. 

Below, is the surviving regimental flag for the unit, beautifully embroidered with silk bullion fringe. 

A beautifully embroidered regimental flag for this unit still exists and
is held in the collections of the Division of Military Naval Affairs.
Embroidered at the lower section is "GOD AND LIBERTY".

At one point in the flag's history, it had been glue to a laminated board. Excessive glue was used.

The flag glued to the board once removed from the frame.

 

The slow process of removing the laminated back board that the flag was glued.

The vast majority of the paper board layers were able to be removed. But still not all could be removed safely with out damaging the silk. The small areas were determined to stay.

Encapsulated flag, showing the reverse side.

 

Once the flag was encapsulated, it was then positioned onto a prepared aluminum honeycomb panel. Layers of needle-punch batting are incorporated to create the best pressure with the covering UV-filtered Plexiglas.

Attaching the show covered fabric to the mount.

The flag was positioned onto the prepared mount, covered with UV-filtered Plexiglas and secured with a powder-coated aluminum frame.  

 

Completed and mounted flag.