Military Medals and Fraternal Jewels of America: Analysis, Care, and Cataloging

Anna Kropf
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 09:00:00 PDT

This project produced a guidebook focused on providing instructions on proper technique for laboratory analysis, collections management, and cataloging practices pertaining to American military medals and fraternal insignia. While fraternal phaleristics is relatively unstudied, military medals and awards have been extensively studied and are fairly common in museum collections. Both are important sources of historical information and thus should be treated with respect and handled with care. Fraternal and military insignia indicate membership or achievement within a social group and hold different meanings for different members of the public. Their conditions vary depending on various environmental factors including humidity, temperature, and exposure to noxious gases. Many of these insignia are of mixed-material composition– typically metal medallions with textile ribbons– which presents a unique challenge to the analyst, as different environments are best for different materials. Proper storage and housing for these objects can help alleviate the deterioration inevitable in all material culture. Keeping good records on museum objects can help professional conservators and collections managers monitor the condition of these objects through high-quality and informative photographs, illustrations, measurements, and descriptions. This information was compiled through a combination of research, personal experience, and consultation of conservation resources and experts. The final guide should assist any museum worker or volunteer with basic familiarity with the museum field in the best ways to identify and care for unknown insignia of both types.