Click here for updates on this story
MILTON, Wis. (WISC) — MILTON, Wis. — Historians at the former Milton College recently made a remarkable discovery when they opened a box containing a 100-year-old American flag with a handwritten letter attached.
The flag, which arrived at the college in 1926, was sent by Joseph Dutton, an alumnus who wanted to express his gratitude for the education he received there.
According to Doug Welch, lead historical preservationist at Milton College Preservation Society, the flag originated from a leper colony in Hawaii during the Civil War era. Dutton attended Milton College in the 1850s and served in the military.
“In 1926, this flag, this very flag here, 100 years ago, shows up at Milton College with a letter from Dutton saying, you know, ‘This is an appreciation of the education I received here.’ When I saw the flag and saw the note, my jaw dropped. It was like, ‘Holy smokes, this is a big deal,'” Welch said.
During the 1850s, Milton College distinguished itself as an educational pioneer. The institution championed women’s education and abolitionism—causes it embraced even before the University of Wisconsin-Madison took similar stances. It’s said renowned abolitionist Sojourner Truth once spoke on campus.
Welch emphasizes that the flag represents far more than patriotic decoration or a simple historical artifact.
“This is really kind of a symbol of Milton College down through the years, and – going back to Joseph Goodrich – and its commitment to education, women’s education, fighting [for] abolitionism, fighting to save the Union,” Welch explained.
The flag’s journey to preservation was not guaranteed. When Milton College closed its doors in 1982, local banks took control of the campus and auctioned off most of its contents. However, this significant flag managed to survive the dispersal of the college’s assets, preserving a tangible connection to the institution’s storied past.
Now, the flag is framed and displayed in the college’s main hall, where visitors can view it at the Milton College Preservation Society. For those interested in Civil War history, educational heritage, or the stories of individuals who fought to preserve the Union, the flag offers a window into a transformative period in American history.
Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting. This content carries a strict local market embargo. If you share the same market as the contributor of this article, you may not use it on any platform.