Artifacts tell a rich historical story

If a pair of boots from World War II could speak, they would have many tales to tell about the soldier who wore, trained and fought in them. Although this isn't humanly possible, a piece of American history can tell a story for years to come by preserving these boots. Steve Greeley, museum specialist at the Yuma Proving Ground Heritage Center, has a passion for preserving the past in a delicate, arduous and meticulous way.

As one walks through the Heritage Center, pieces of history tell a story of the Army's past through audio and visual displays. Spanning a period of nearly 70 years, the corridors and rooms of the Heritage Center, located on the proving ground's main administrative area and open to the public at no charge, are filled with hundreds of artifacts. Each article depicts a story, making up small pieces of the large puzzle that tells the history of YPG.

From old uniforms to combat gear and inert artillery projectiles, to black and white photographs, antiquated equipment and even an 1874 Sharps rifle, these items were either donated or purchased because they have a historical connection with the history of YPG. Some items were transferred from various offices at the proving ground as they fell out of use.

For the center's staff, Greeley and Bill Heidner, museum curator, preserving and knowing the history of each item is vital. On a daily basis, these two historians share their knowledge with the public through tours and speaking engagements, making it a full-time job they enjoy.

An Army veteran with a passion for history, Greeley has worked for numerous Army museums and has been employed at YPG since late 2008. Prior to coming to the proving ground, he worked at the museum of the 11th Calvary regiment at Fort Irwin, Calif.

Accepting donations is not always as simple as it may appear. Every item must be linked to the mission or history of YPG.

As donations flow into the center, they are collected and a system of checks and balances must be completed before each can be accepted and placed on display. In accordance with regulations of the Army's Center for Military History, items must first undergo a thorough inspection. Greeley begins by putting on special gloves, handling each item delicately and cleaning it with a special cloth and gentle brushes. He looks for markings, manufacturer's names or anything that will assist in the identification process. He then enters the information into a database for future reference.

“Anytime I handle an artifact, I wear gloves because human oils are corrosive,” he explained. “Over a period of time, oils can wear down the patina of the artifact. I also weigh and measure each item, and look for dates or anything to help determine authenticity.” The inspection and validation process is quite long and tedious. Once it is complete, however, the-now “catalogued artifact” is preserved forever.

“Last summer, we received a donation of a model 1874 Shiloh Sharps rifle from a group of engineers who tested it here in 1992,” said Greeley. The original Sharps rifle was used in 1874 at the “Battle of Adobe Walls,” which took place in the Texas panhandle. The rifle was purported to make an incredible shot at the time, accurately striking a man at tremendous distance.

When items are donated at the Heritage Center, not all are found to be authentic. Relying heavily on his historical expertise, Greeley is ready to spot reproductions. He remembers a set of old uniforms that were once donated. Heritage Center officials noticed chevrons on the uniform were six millimeters wide instead of four millimeters wide, which proved it to be a replica, though the buttons were original. The uniform in question was purchased from a company that made uniforms for the movie “Saving Private Ryan.”

With an abundance of items waiting to be placed on display, hundreds are put in metal storage containers, each item numbered and each container numbered. Greeley and Heidner are accountable for each item and enjoy using them in exhibits whenever possible.

“We like to rotate things, keeping our displays fresh,” said Greeley. He points out that rotating uniforms actually helps preserve them, for it keeps them out of constant direct light, which produces fading.

With every job there are challenges, and for Greeley, keeping pesky critters from eating through uniforms is something he knows how to deal with. He does this by placing clothing articles in sealed plastic bags, then placing them inside a freezer. This causes moths, bugs or other insects to die off.

Visiting the Heritage Center can be quite an experience for people of all ages. Plan to take a few hours to visit, travel through time, cool off and learn the history of Yuma Proving Ground and the role it plays in the test and development of equipment for the warfighter. To set up a tour or to visit the Heritage Center, call 328-3394. Admission to the Heritage Center is free and hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Mary F. Flores writes for The Outpost, the onbase newspaper at Yuma Proving Ground.