Arm and A Leg Campaign – Artifact Restoration Project
Unlike you and I, artifacts don’t improve with age. One of the most important stories we tell is that of the veterans’ experience after the guns fell silent. Tens of thousands returned home after losing limbs in the Civil War. This terrible need forced innovation and new technologies in prosthetics. Artificial limbs were in great demand and many of the advancements from this great conflict remain with us to this day.
The collection of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine includes several prosthetics from the period – including arms and legs. The 2021 mid-year appeal is targeted to restore and preserve three of these artifacts; two Palmer style artificial legs and one artificial arm known as the “Lincoln Arm.” The Lincoln Arm was developed by a former agent of the Underground Railroad and was the army’s choice for veterans well into World War I.
We aren’t asking for an arm and a leg – we are asking for contributions toward our goal of $12,500 to save an arm and two legs. We’ve consulted with the National Museum of Health and Medicine for an environmental and condition report and the costs associated with each artifact is approximately $3,000. The remaining monies raised will be directed toward mounts and materials to exhibit and store them. Lastly, our plan is to have them photographed to be seen online as well. In this way we can preserve them for future generations and guarantee in-person and online visitors will have access to these important items.
Even a small donation will help us to restore these important pieces of medical history.
As a registered 501(c)3 non-profit your gift is tax deductible, and you will receive a letter of gratitude acknowledging your generous donation.
We couldn’t do this without you.