SmallCorp Partners with VariGuard to Protect Abraham Lincoln's Handwritten Gettysburg Address
MWN-AI** Summary
On November 19, 2025, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum unveiled a new way for visitors to experience the historic Gettysburg Address, delivered by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. This milestone comes exactly 162 years after Lincoln's iconic speech, marking the introduction of SmallCorp's cutting-edge archival exhibit case, which utilizes VariGuard’s electronically dimmable SPD-SmartGlass technology. This innovative glass enhances preservation efforts by allowing the museum to protect the fragile handwritten document from harmful light exposure while still making it accessible to the public.
Previously, the Gettysburg Address had been on display for only ten days each November due to its extreme sensitivity to light. However, with the implementation of SmallCorp's custom-designed display case featuring SPD-Smart glass, the museum can now extend exhibit periods significantly. The glass can switch from opaque to transparent instantaneously with the touch of a button, blocking over 99.5% of both visible light and UV radiation when not in use. This ensures that the document is only exposed to light while visitors are actively viewing it, thereby safeguarding its condition.
This partnership not only enhances the conservation of the Gettysburg Address but also enriches the visitor experience. The dramatic “reveal” effect engages museum-goers by building anticipation as they prepare to view the treasured manuscript. Mike Dunphy of SmallCorp emphasized the importance of every detail in this specially engineered case, while Dan Dyble from VariGuard highlighted the significance of using their technology to protect such a vital piece of American history. The collaboration between SmallCorp and VariGuard ensures that this national treasure can be enjoyed by future generations.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent partnership between SmallCorp and VariGuard to protect Abraham Lincoln's handwritten Gettysburg Address represents a significant intersection of technology, historical preservation, and market potential. This initiative not only showcases an innovative use of electronically dimmable SPD-SmartGlass but also highlights the crucial role that companies such as SmallCorp play in the conservation of national treasures.
Investors should consider the implications of this partnership. The ability to increase public access to the Gettysburg Address without compromising the document’s preservation opens up further opportunities for collaboration between museums and technology providers. Thus, SmallCorp and VariGuard are positioned to capitalize on a growing demand for advanced display solutions in cultural institutions worldwide.
From a market analysis perspective, companies that innovate in conservation technologies like VariGuard could see expanded applications beyond museums, such as in galleries, archives, and private collections, creating a diversified revenue stream. Likewise, SmallCorp’s specialization in custom museum display solutions aligns with socioeconomic trends favoring cultural accessibility and sustainability, given their solar-powered manufacturing facility.
Additionally, the timing of this partnership coinciding with the exhibit's unveiling on the anniversary of Lincoln's Address is a strategic marketing opportunity. Increased visitor engagement can drive sales for both companies, encouraging other institutions to invest in similar technologies.
Investors should monitor the financial performance of SmallCorp and VariGuard as more museums adopt these conservation practices. The collaboration places both firms at the forefront of a niche market with significant growth potential. If this trend continues, we may see increased market valuation and sustained business growth, providing an attractive opportunity for forward-thinking investors.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum’s visitors can now experience Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
in SmallCorp’s archival exhibit case using VariGuard electronically dimmable SPD-SmartGlass.
Springfield, Illinois, Nov. 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- “Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation...” With these words, Abraham Lincoln began what would become one of the most revered speeches in American history. Today, exactly 162 years since Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address in 1863, visitors to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum can view this historic speech in Lincoln’s own handwriting. The museum will offer free admission November 19 to mark the event, and the revered document is a centerpiece of the museum's new exhibit, Lincoln: A Life and Legacy that Defined a Nation.
The Gettysburg Address document is extremely light-sensitive – even modest light exposure can permanently damage it. For that reason, the museum has typically displayed it only about ten days each November before returning it to dark storage. Now, with SmallCorp’s exhibit case using electronically dimmable conservation glass provided by their partner VariGuard, the museum can exhibit this national treasure for extended periods.
For details of today’s event and information about Lincoln’s speech and the need to protect it, we invite you to read the following news release from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: Lincoln’s Most Famous Speech on Display at ALPLM, Where Admission is Free Nov. 19 .
The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum wanted to share this historic document with many more visitors while still providing the highest level of protection possible. To support extended exhibit periods and meet strict conservation requirements, the museum turned to SmallCorp to design and manufacture a custom conservation display case specifically for the Gettysburg Address. The viewing panel uses electronically dimmable conservation glass by VariGuard, based on SPD-Smart light-control technology licensed from Research Frontiers Inc. (Nasdaq: REFR). This enables the museum to gain precise control over how much light reaches the document.
At the touch of a button, the SPD-SmartGlass in the SmallCorp case instantly changes from light-blocking to transparent. In its dark state, it blocks more than 99.5% of incoming visible light, and more than 99.5% of UV radiation – dramatically reducing cumulative light exposure to Lincoln’s document. The only time the Gettysburg Address is exposed to full viewing light is when visitors are actively looking at it, giving the museum the confidence to extend exhibit periods while still protecting this irreplaceable manuscript.
In addition to protection, the SmallCorp case with electronically dimmable SPD-SmartGlass creates an interactive experience for museum visitors. When the glass is dark, the Gettysburg Address is concealed, building anticipation about what is behind the opaque panel. When activated, the glass instantly becomes transparent, revealing the original handwritten Address. This dramatic “reveal” effect allows the museum to both safeguard the document and engage visitors in a memorable way each time the case is activated.
“For a document as important and as light-sensitive as the Gettysburg Address, every detail of the archival exhibit case is critical,” said Mike Dunphy, Director of Sales and Marketing at SmallCorp. “We engineered this case specifically for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum’s conservation goals and visitor needs, and our partner VariGuard supplied SPD-SmartGlass that tightly controls when and how light reaches the manuscript. It’s very rewarding to know that our case is helping the museum share this national treasure with more people, while still protecting it for the future.”
Dan Dyble, Co-Founder of VariGuard, commented, “Our SPD-SmartGlass is used to protect important artifacts in museums around the world, but helping to safeguard the Gettysburg Address carries a very special meaning. Our electronically dimmable conservation glass, based on SPD-Smart technology from Research Frontiers, dramatically reduces damaging light while people are not viewing an object, and reveals it instantly when they are. We’re honored that SmallCorp selected VariGuard’s smart museum glass for this project and that our technology is helping more visitors experience this historic document in Lincoln’s own hand.”
About SmallCorp
SmallCorp, based in Greenfield, Massachusetts, designs and manufactures archival exhibit cases, museum-quality picture frames, aluminum honeycomb panels, and other conservation products for the display, protection, and storage of works of art and historic objects. Since 1972, SmallCorp has specialized in custom, conservation-grade casework and structural supports used by museums, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions across the United States and around the world. In addition to high quality manufacturing, SmallCorp is known for environmental consciousness – their 36,000 square foot manufacturing facility is solar-powered and optimized for energy efficiency. More information is available at www.smallcorp.com .
About VariGuard SmartGlass
VariGuard SmartGlass is based on patented SPD-Smart light-control technology developed by Research Frontiers Inc. (Nasdaq: REFR), and VariGuard is licensed by Research Frontiers to use this technology in museum and display applications. VariGuard’s electronically dimmable conservation glass limits an object’s light exposure to the moments when people are actually viewing it, while also blocking more than 99.5% of UV radiation. VariGuard offers museums and private collectors standard-size and custom-fabricated picture frames, wall cases, table cases, and other display enclosures using SPD-SmartGlass. More information is available at www.VariGuard.com .
SmallCorp contact information:
Email: info@smallcorp.com
Phone: 800-392-9500
VariGuard contact information:
Email: Dan@VariGuard.com
Phone: 516-847-5330
FAQ**
How does the partnership between SmallCorp and VariGuard incorporate Research Frontiers Incorporated REFR's SPD-Smart technology to enhance the display of the Gettysburg Address while ensuring its preservation?
What specific benefits does the electronically dimmable SPD-SmartGlass provide in terms of light protection for the Gettysburg Address compared to traditional display methods mentioned by Research Frontiers Incorporated REFR?
In what ways does SmallCorp's custom exhibit case, featuring technology from Research Frontiers Incorporated REFR, improve visitor interaction with the Gettysburg Address at the museum?
How might the successful integration of SPD-Smart technology by VariGuard and SmallCorp influence future museum conservation practices beyond the exhibit of the Gettysburg Address, as per Research Frontiers Incorporated REFR’s standards?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Research Frontiers Incorporated (NASDAQ: REFR).
NASDAQ: REFR
REFR Trading
-3.08% G/L:
$0.9498 Last:
11,784 Volume:
$0.96 Open:
