I have a 48 star flag that was my great-great grandfathers, it is in good shape, but I would like to clean it and display it in a case. How should I have it cleaned?

Rocky,

Old flags tend to be fragile and thus must be treated with care. Your flag is probably made of cotton or wool, and can be cleaned by a professional (someone with fabric preservation expereince is ideal) or washed by hand with Woolite or some other gentle cleanser. Be careful not to agitate the flag much when you're cleaning it, because even a little jarring can pull out the old thread that is holding your flag together.

For display, used acid-free and archival materials. Flags can be mounted and framed by professionals. Here is a good site for information about how to preserve textiles and some vendors who can help you. Good luck!

Sarah