Athenaeum returns war relic to its homeland
Date: 11/18/2008
By Katelyn Gendron
Reminder Assistant Editor
WESTFIELD For decades, a century-old Puerto Rican battle flag lay hidden in the confines of the Westfield Athenaeum's attic with only one clue as to how it got there a note, which read, "Captured at San Juan Hill."
A team led by local historian and Chair of the Athenaeum's Board of Trustees Dr. Robert Brown found the flag a relic of the Spanish-American War while on a task to uncover, catalog and store all of the artifacts donated throughout the Athenaeum's 140 year history.
Last Monday, the flag, which bared the insignia of the 3rd Provisional Battalion of Puerto Rico, was officially returned to its homeland during a transfer ceremony in the Reed Room. Josefina Gomez, director of the Biblioteca Nacional of the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena (Institute of Puerto Rican Culture) in San Juan was in attendance to accept the flag from Athenaeum Director Christopher Lindquist.
"The flag is very important as it is part of our history. It is a silent testimonial on a very meaningful event. It is also a reminder of our Spanish heritage," Gomez told Reminder Publications. "The General Archives has microfilmed information on the Battalion No. 3 and this donation will give a tangible presence to our past."
She explained that the flag will be kept in the general archives in the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture.
"The flag will be examined to determine its present state and if it requires special attention to protect and maintain its physical integrity," she said. "It will be displayed following the necessary safeguards for its preservation. As we have already mentioned, it is a testimonial of our history and cultural background. We thank the Westfield Athenaeum for the safekeeping and donation of this treasure."
Brown said he was determined to ensure that the flag was returned to the people of Puerto Rico.
"This particular item has nothing to do with our library collection," he said. "It doesn't have anything to do with us."
Lindquist explained that because the Athenaeum has never had a curator and no form of formal record keeping, it is unknown as to how or why the flag was in the attic.
Gomez said she and her colleagues have hypothesized several theories: "The Battalion Provisional No. 3 had companies in San Juan, Humacao, Vieques and Fajardo," she explained. "An American soldier could have received it from a Spanish or Puerto Rican one. But it could also be that it arrived through Cuba . Spanish troops arrived in San Juan en route to Cuba and a soldier could have received it as a token of friendship. The Battalion Provisional No. 1, 2 and 5 saw service in Cuba and they could also have taken the flag over there. Even someone interested in antiquities could have bought it and donated it to the Athenaeum . It is hard to know."
Lindquist noted that several stains on the flag, which he speculated as blood or gunpowder, could help determine the flag's history.
He explained that through the help of Congressman John Olver's office, he and Congressional Aide Agma Sweeney were able to determine which institution should accept the flag.
"The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture in San Juan really convinced us that they'd be dedicated to preserving it and displaying [the flag]," Lindquist said, adding that the "mystery" behind why or how it arrived in Westfield "may never be solved."
