Grant will help preserve historic Barrington flag

Barrington’s rare painted silk militia flag was carried into action in 1842

Posted 3/16/19

Barrington Preservation Society has received a grant of $7,455 from Heritage Harbor Foundation for the conservation of Barrington’s rare painted silk militia flag, and a new display based on …

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Grant will help preserve historic Barrington flag

Barrington’s rare painted silk militia flag was carried into action in 1842

Posted

Barrington Preservation Society has received a grant of $7,455 from Heritage Harbor Foundation for the conservation of Barrington’s rare painted silk militia flag, and a new display based on the flag and associated objects.

The flag is hand-painted on blue silk and signed by William W. Pitman, who was a professional sign and flag painter in Providence from 1824 until his death in 1838. The flag bears the name of Barrington’s militia company, along with Federal and state heraldic symbols, and was used to drill the town’s militia company. 

The flag was carried into action only once: in the summer of 1842, Barrington troops joined the state army marching on Chepachet against the forces of the “Dorr Rebellion,” Rhode Island’s almost-civil-war. The “Rebellion” was defused with no shots fired.

The original flag is in a poor state of preservation and has spent the last several decades glued into a handmade plexiglass frame. 

After reviewing three professional conservation proposals, Barrington Preservation Society selected Spicer Art Conservation LLC, to perform much-needed conservation. The flag will be treated and stabilized in a new custom-built frame for permanent display. It is expected to go on display in a new exhibit in the Town Museum within one year. The project also includes the creation of a flyable replica flag, and the publication of new information on the flag and related artifacts from this period of Barrington’s history.

Barrington Preservation Society is an all-volunteer organization whose mission encompasses stewardship and education about artifacts and buildings representing Barrington’s heritage. Heritage Harbor Foundation’s grant will help ensure the longevity of this rare flag, and allow Barrington Preservation Society to interpret and share this artifact with people.

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