State Guard Armband
This Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Guard armband from around 1919 is made of black wool with gold embroidery, featuring the triangular crest of the Commonwealth. Armbands such as these were one of a kind items, and used by new Guardsmen recruits, who did not yet have uniforms. The State Guard was originally the state’s Volunteer Militia, before being reorganized in 1917 as the State Guard. In 1918, they operated hospitals to treat civilians during the flu epidemic. By WWII, their insignia became the image of the state itself, while the state’s National Guard continues to utilize the crest as their insignia. The State Guard was renamed the Massachusetts Defense Force after 2001, and has been inactive as of 2016. Historically, they augmented the Massachusetts National Guard.
The armband was donated by June Kennedy in 2017
Armband
Wool, dyed, gold embroidery
W.2017.27.5