PEAKS ISLAND – After several months of treatment by textile conservateur Gwen Spicer, the Fifth Maine’s original battle flag is on its way home to “Headquarters,” the Fifth Maine Regiment Memorial Hall.

The silk flag, crafted by a group of Portland ladies then living in New York City, was presented to the regiment as it passed through New York enroute to Washington, D.C., in June 1861. It led the regiment during its three-year term of service during the Civil War and was displayed in the hall when it was built in 1888.

Given the fragile condition of the 145-year-old flag, the Fifth’s board of directors recognized the need to preserve the flag for future generations.

A sum of $20,421 was raised for the Save the Flag Fund, thanks to the generosity of 63 friends and members of the Fifth Maine supplemented by donations from the Mark Dunnell Family Trust, the Daveis Benevolent Fund, the Davis Family Foundation, MBNA, the Peaks Island Fund, Boy Scout Troops 83 & 356, 3rd Maine Infantry Reenactors, Long Island School, and the Joshua Chamberlain Civil War Roundtable,

A full day of activities is planned to welcome home the flag Saturday, June 17. the schedule follows:

10:30 a.m. – Opening ceremonies, inspection, firing demonstration

11 a.m. -Medical presentation

11:45 a.m. -Field music

12:15 p.m. – Break for lunch

12:45 p.m.: Demonstration by Infantry

1:30 p.m.: “Down in Dixie” lecture by 5th Maine Adjutant George Bicknell with Herb Adams as Bicknell

2:30 p.m.: Opening of new exhibit, “Sacred at Any Cost,” with the flag as its centerpiece

3 p.m.: Presentation by the Ladies Auxiliary of the Sons of Union Veterans

4 p.m.: Closing ceremonies

After the Civil War, Adjutant Bicknell was one of many veterans who traveled the lecture circuit speaking about his war experiences. “Down in Dixie” was his most popular talk. The lecture “in his own words” is illustrated by images from his personal collection of glass lantern slides.

The exhibit, “Sacred at Any Cost: The Men and Women of the Fifth Maine and the Flag They Followed,” highlights some of the men and women of the Fifth Maine and includes many new artifacts and others not displayed in many years.

The Fifth Maine Regiment Memorial Hall was built in 1888 by veterans of the Fifth Regiment Maine Volunteer Infantry as a reunion hall and summer cottage. Since 1954, volunteers have worked to restore the hall and open it to the public as a museum of Civil War and Peaks Island history. Programs and activities include exhibitions, walking tours, lectures, Civil War encampments, concerts, art shows, and school programs. Membership is open to the public.

All June 17 activities are free, but donations are gratefully accepted. For more information, log on to www.fifthmainemuseum.org.