KU News Release

Professor lends ‘Lincoln Flag’ to Dole Institute for public viewing

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics will display a Civil War-era American flag for the duration of its Presidential Lecture Series in honor of the nation’s 16th president. The “Lincoln Flag” is on loan from the personal collection of Dennis Dailey, professor emeritus of social welfare.

The flag, which has 34 stars, is known as a Lincoln Flag because Abraham Lincoln was the only president in office during the period it served as the national flag (1861-63) and because Lincoln would not allow any stars to be removed from the flag, despite the seven southern states preparing to secede.

“This flag adds a tangible connection to the era of Lincoln and the Civil War to supplement our Presidential Lecture Series, ‘Ten Score,’ ” said Jonathan Earle, associate director of programming for the Dole Institute. “It is a striking and tangible addition to our series celebrating Lincoln’s bicentennial and we are proud to display it for our visitors.”

An expert from the PBS television program “Antiques Roadshow” authenticated the flag for Dailey in August 2004. The flag, which measures 11 feet long and 8 feet wide, is thought to have flown at a military instillation or on a public building. Made of cotton muslin and machine sewn, the flag features tight stitching and stars visible on both sides of the blue canton. The flag shows fading consistent with its age and was professionally restored by the Valley Forge Flag Company in Pennsylvania in the early 1970s.

“I’m a history buff and my great-grandfather served in the Civil War,” said Dailey, who also lives in a historic Lawrence home. “Owning this flag is an expression of the history that is so close to me.”

The flag will be displayed until March 13 in the reading room of the Dole Institute for public viewing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and before and after Presidential Lecture Series programs.

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