How best to conserve a Uniform - From a new member @Sabre & Scalpel

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This is actually from @Sabre & Scalpel . He/she is new to CivilWarTalk and this is their first post. They somehow ended up in my PM account, so I'm moving their wonderful pictures and questions to the Uniform and Relics Forum. I'd like to welcome @Sabre & Scalpel to CivilWarTalk. I reassured them that we all remembered our first post and how they usually ended up somewhere different from where we thought they'd be! :eek: :help:

This is my first post on your site.

I am looking for information on how to best conserve my Great Great Grandfather's frock coat, vest and kepi. I don't know how his uniform it was initially stored, but for the past 80 years it was folded and stored in a cedar chest. It is my speculation that the black crepe rosette sewn onto the left sleeve was added for a memorial parade to honor (assassinated) President Lincoln. He wore a brimmed cavalry hat during the war, but I his post war GAR kepi deserves conservation too.

He initially commanded a Militia Company then served briefly an Assistant Surgeon (he was a Doctor prior to the war) and then as Captain of Cavalry (thus my screen name).

What are your thoughts and recommendations?

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Calling @Package4 do you have any recommendations? This is a brand new member who wandered into my PM by accident. Can we help this person out?
 
Calling @Package4 do you have any recommendations? This is a brand new member who wandered into my PM by accident. Can we help this person out?
I would recommend using acid free paper in the sleeves and also as a method of separating the pieces and storing in an acid free box. The paper and box are available online and used by most collectors and museums. Try and keep the uniform out of direct sunlight and in an environmentally controlled area.

Welcome from Maryland!
 
Until you hear from the professionals, i would put it right back in that cedar chest! The preservation is amazing! Actually cedar chests repel insects and the dense wood creates a low oxygen environment that is also dark. A win win win for old garments.
 
Until you hear from the professionals, i would put it right back in that cedar chest! The preservation is amazing! Actually cedar chests repel insects and the dense wood creates a low oxygen environment that is also dark. A win win win for old garments.
The afore mentioned tips actually were recommendations to me from Les Jensen, when I asked these same questions for my own collection. Those that are not familiar with Les, he is past curator of the MOC (Museum of the Confederacy) and a current curator at the museum of the USMA at West Point.
 
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