Shortly after Utah was established as a state in 1896, a 45-star American flag was probably hung outside the former headquarters of the Stonington Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows on Cottrell Street in the heart of downtown Mystic.

But by 1908 the flag was obsolete. The addition of Oklahoma as a state would have prompted members of the Odd Fellows fraternal organization to stow the flag in favor of a 46-star flag.

Fast forward nearly 100 years to the sale of the Cottrell Street building.

Prior to the sale, Odd Fellows Noble Grand Richard Trudelle was among members helping to pack for the move. Trudelle was in the attic cleaning out dust-covered relics, including a coffin, when he came across the 12-foot-wide flag in a box along with some canvas stamped 1903.

The collection could have easily ended up in a pile destined for the garbage, Trudelle said. Instead, the decision was made to take the box and the old canvas. Trudelle, who participates in Revolutionary War reenactments made use of the canvas, creating an authentic hunting frock. The flag, meanwhile, stayed hidden for several more years in part because of its unwieldy size.

"It's a monstrous flag. The stripes are six or seven inches wide," Trudelle said. "I figured that before something happens to it, let's give it up to somebody that will do something with it."

Members decided that rather than letting it collect dust as it had for nearly a century, they would find a permanent home with a chance to be appreciated for its historic value.

When the Stonington Historical Society showed no interest, Trudelle said he contacted Groton Town Historian James Streeter.

Streeter said the Groton Historical Society was very interested and accepted the flag during a small ceremony in October.

For the time being it's on ice, stored in a freezer to kill off the eggs of any bugs that may have gotten into it.

"The flag that was presented to the Historical Society is in excellent condition considering its age, between 104 and 116 years old," Streeter said. "The flag is hand-sewn as evidenced by the hand stitching of the stars onto the flag."

Streeter said the 45-star flag was adopted as the official flag of the United States of America on July 4, 1896 after the admission of Utah as the 45th state of Union on Jan. 4 of that year. The 45-star flag remained in use until July 4, 1908, after the addition to the Union of the State of Oklahoma on Nov. 16, 1907, he said.

Streeter said the flag will be properly cared for by the Society and it is anticipated it will be displayed on appropriate holidays and special events. It will be stored at the Avery-Copp Museum on Thames Street in Groton.

G.SMITH@THEDAY.COM