The 2010 Preservation Project is the preservation of the battle flag of the 16th Regiment North Carolina Troops WD-#57. This flag, issued in the spring of 1863, is a Third Wool Bunting, Army of Northern Virginia Battleflag. It has 12 battle honors painted in blue block letters with the Regimental numbers painted in yellow in the center. This flag was captured on July 3, 1863 at the Battle of Gettysburg by Pvt. Elijah W. Bacon of the 14th Connecticut Vols. as well as the flags of the 14th Tenn., 1st Tenn., 4th Vir., and the 52nd NC. In the spring of 1864, the flag was displayed in New York in an exhibit sponsored by the U.S. Sanitary Commission. The flag was returned to the State of North Carolina in 1905.

Partnership with North Carolina Museum of History

The Society for the Historical Preservation of the 26th Regiment North Carolina Troops, Inc. & The North Carolina Museum of History have entered into a unique partnership to save North Carolina's Civil War Artifacts. From its inception, the mission of the 26th NCT has been to perpetuate the history of the original 26th NCT and the State of North Carolina's role in the American Civil War. We have always held to the belief that it is of the utmost importance that we preserve our ancestors' artifacts and monuments for future generations of North Carolinians.

In pursuit of this goal the 26th NCT can list the following accomplishments:

Line of Battle

Raised the necessary funds to restore the North Carolina Memorial at Gettysburg (1982 to 1985)

Assisted the North Carolinian Society in their placement of the two monuments to the 26th NCT on the Gettysburg Battlefield (1985 & 1986)

Published numerous letter collections and unpublished images of North Carolina soldiers in our historical magazine, Company Front (began publishing in 1987)

Assisted the North Carolina Museum of History (NCMOH) in their opening of the Civil War Exhibit (1999 to 2005)

Raised over $7,500 to preserve and restore one of the original battle flags of the 26th NCT, which is owned by the North Carolina Museum of History (NCMOH) in Raleigh (2005)

Raised over $25,000 to place a suitable monument to remember the brave men and boys of the 26th NCT who fought their first battle of the Civil War at New Bern, North Carolina on March 14, 1862. (2002 to 2007)

In January of 2004, the 26th NCT and the NCMOH officially formed a Partnership to raise the necessary funds to restore our State's Civil War artifacts

2007 – our second project for the NCMOH, the Regiment was responsible for raising the money for the preservation of the battle flag of the 52nd NC Regt.…(raised $5,400)

2007 & 2008 – the Regiment raised $10,000 towards the

Museum of the Confederacy project, which allowed the NCMOH to bring home:

(a) the 26th NC’s Gettysburg flag

(b) the battle flag of the 37th NC

2008 – the Regiment was responsible for raising the money for the preservation of the battle flag of the 47th NC...(raised $8,300)

2009 – the Regiment was responsible for raising the money for the preservation of the remnants of the battle flag of the 58th NC...(raised $7,000)

Exhibit Display Case The North Carolina Museum of History (NCMOH) holds an impressive collection of North Carolina Civil War flags and uniforms. Many of these artifacts need extensive conservation before they can be exhibited. Textile conservation is a time consuming, specialized, and expensive task, as hundreds of hours are needed to stabilize just one flag or uniform. With State funding not available to restore these artifacts, it is imperative that we all step up to help. Become Involved and Help Preserve North Carolina's Civil War History.

You or your organization can help save North Carolina's Civil War heritage by supporting the museum's conservation work. Please mail your check, payable to the North Carolina Museum of History Foundation and mail to the address listed below. Please indicate that your donation is for the "26th NCT Partnership," which is a restricted account meaning that all money so marked will only go towards the 26th NC's current conservation project. The Museum of History Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization, and gifts are fully tax deductible. Please mail your donation to:

Mr. Heyward McKinney,
Budget Officer
N.C. Museum of History Foundation
5 East Edenton St.
Raleigh, NC 27601-1011

Please note, that one hundred percent (100%) of all donations will go towards the conservation project. Once this project is completed a special ceremony re-dedicating the flag of the 16th North Carolina Troops, and in memory of those gallant men, will be held at the NC Museum of History. All who donated to the project will be notified of the date and time so that you may be a part of this special day.