Friends of the Hunley

This 19th century leather wallet was discovered during excavation of the Hunley crew compartment alongside the remains of a European immigrant who lost his life onboard the pioneering submarine. It was highly deteriorated after weathering saltwater, sea life, mud and silt for over a century while inside the Hunley as she sat on the ocean floor. The contents were lost to history but the wallet was delicately preserved through chemical cleaning and a freeze drying process that prevents the leather from collapsing. The artifact now survives to teach future generations about maritime history, conservation science, and the fascinating tale of the Hunley.