# @stauglighthouse on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/CZZ2AiEOlHe
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/18333032-stauglighthouse-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/thumbnails/9f72f9cdf9.jpg
- **Posted:** 2022-01-31T18:03:16.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** St. Augustine Lighthouse & MM (@stauglighthouse) — https://gondola.cc/stauglighthouse

## Caption

A button discovery! On the evening of the St. Augustine Lighthouse & Maritime Museum’s annual Luminary Night, Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program Conservator Andrew Thomson was air scribing when he made an exciting discovery. Yet, this finding on Luminary Night was different. The button is made of pewter and features three interlocking Roman letters, similar in style to an order requisitioned by the Continental Army from the French in 1778. But this button isn’t British at all. It’s American, with the letters U.S.A. distinctly revealed on its front side. 

So how did it get on this shipwreck? One plausible theory is that the button is a trophy of war. The collecting of souvenirs was not uncommon. Soldiers far from home sent evidence of victories back to loved ones for reassurance and often kept mementos. Wherever it is from, the U.S.A. button represents evidence of direct contact between the Patriots and the British Army.

The button will go through an extensive conservation process, with the first step being desalination. After that, it will be coated with a corrosion inhibitor, waxed, and ultimately documented. How much salt has penetrated the button is will determine how long the overall process will take. The Museum plans to display the button in the Wrecked! exhibit once conservation is completed.

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#MaritimeMonday #LAMP #MaritimeArchaeology #Conservation #LoveYourLighthouse #StAugustineLighthouse #StaLighthouse #StAugustine #NationsOldestPort

## Stats

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- **Likes:** 190
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## Tags

staugustine, conservation, maritimearchaeology, nationsoldestport, loveyourlighthouse, staugustinelighthouse, maritimemonday, stalighthouse, lamp

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