Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Promoting U.S. History in East Greenwich, RI.

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You are here: Home / Archives for James Mitchell Varnum

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Before and After: U.S. Civil War Forage Cap

January 14, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Before and After: U.S. Civil War Forage Cap

There’s no such thing as a lost cause … Most would consider this U.S. Civil War 10th Rhode Island forage cap at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum a lost cause. It was infested with moth larvae, mold, and had not been stored properly for many years. After giving it a lot of care, it is […]

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, civil war

Behind the Scenes at the Varnum Memorial Armory

January 13, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

Behind the Scenes at the Varnum Memorial Armory

Here we are learning how to make a dress form fit to a larger uniform. We use bubble wrap covered with archival tissue paper which is then pinned to the dress form. Behold the World War I uniform of former East Greenwich Police Chief, Charles Johnson all set for display at the Varnum Memorial Armory […]

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: world war I

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Latham Artillery Battery Confederate Guidon

January 13, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Latham Artillery Battery Confederate Guidon

This is the Latham Artillery Battery guidon (restored by the University of Rhode Island Conservation Laboratory). This historic flag is a powerful symbol of Rhode Island’s sacrifice in the American Civil War. The 4th Rhode Island Volunteers captured it after making a bold charge at the Battle of New Berne on March 14th, 1862. The […]

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: civil war, confederate, flag, guidon

Renovating the Varnum Armory Dining Room

January 1, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

Renovating the Varnum Armory Dining Room

We’ve started renovating another largely unused room at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum that has not changed since the 1920s. The Varnum Armory dining room will be new museum display space as well as a rentable meeting room. We intend to retain the room’s historic charm, but updated for today’s needs. Fun fact … two […]

Filed Under: Historic Preservation, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: varnum memorial armory

[JAN. 8 DINNER MEETING] World War I and Rhode Island: The Centennial Remembered

January 1, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

[JAN. 8 DINNER MEETING] World War I and Rhode Island: The Centennial Remembered

Our speaker this month is Matthew Baldwin McCoy, State Coordinator for the Rhode Island World War I Centennial Commission. Matt will share with us our state’s relationship to the national observance and the role the Ocean State played during the war. Rhode Island made a significant contribution, not only in its role as a major […]

Filed Under: Speaking Program Tagged With: speaker program, world war I

[FEATURE ARTICLE] Rhode Island Service Organizations Rally to Serve the Troops in World War I

January 1, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

[FEATURE ARTICLE] Rhode Island Service Organizations Rally to Serve the Troops in World War I

In the early years of World War I, the conflict seemed a long way away from America’s shores. President Woodrow Wilson had pledged to do all he could to keep the United States neutral. But, finally, by early 1917, events had escalated to the point where on April 6, 1917, Congress declared war on Germany. […]

Filed Under: Feature Article Tagged With: world war I

[GALLERY] Varnum House Colonial Yuletide 2017 a Big Success!

December 12, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

[GALLERY] Varnum House Colonial Yuletide 2017 a Big Success!

On December 10, 2017, the Varnum House Museum hosted its Annual Colonial Yuletide Celebration featuring festive holiday decorations, live music, refreshments, and guided tours by docents in period costume. Our many visitors toured the museum and took in many new exhibits and revamped rooms in this 1773 mansion museum. Built in 1773 by General James […]

Filed Under: Varnum House Museum Tagged With: 18th century, colonial yuletide, fundraiser, james mitchell varnum, varnum house museum

The glamorous work of museum exhibit conservation

December 9, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

The glamorous work of museum exhibit conservation

Conservation work continues at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! Here we are cleaning a World War I field uniform worn in France by a local East Greenwich, RI, resident. This Bissel vacuum has the perfect attachment for cleaning moth residue without stressing the fabric or seams. It’s slow and tedious work. Every crevice has to […]

Filed Under: Historic Preservation, Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: varnum memorial armory, world war I

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] 1889 George Washington bronze inaugural centennial commemorative medal

December 9, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] 1889 George Washington bronze inaugural centennial commemorative medal

Here’s a neat little thing we found while cleaning in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. This very large medallion is an 1889 George Washington bronze inaugural centennial commemorative medal! A Skinner Auctions catalog described another example of this same medal: George Washington Bronze Inaugural Centennial Medal, Augustus Saint-Gaudens (1848–1907), modeled by Philip Martiny (1858-1927), 1889, […]

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: George Washington, revolutionary war, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Frock coat of Confederate General Francis M. Cockrell

December 9, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Frock coat of Confederate General Francis M. Cockrell

This frock coat was worn by Brigadier General Francis Marion Cockrell. Recognized as one of the finest military commanders in the American Civil War on both sides of the war, he gained fame during the Siege of Vicksburg and, following promotions to brigadier general in 1863, went on to fight in the Atlanta Campaign and […]

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, civil war, museum exhibit, varnum memorial armory

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Featured Posts

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Smith & Wesson Victory Model 10 Revolver

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Smith & Wesson Victory Model 10 Revolver

April 1, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

This Smith & Wesson Victory Model 10 revolver was recently donated to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. The Varnum Memorial Armory’s revolver is a .38 Smith & Wesson. More research is forthcoming. The Smith and Wesson Model 10, produced during World War II, had a “V” for Victory prefix in the serial number. Smith and […]

Recent Posts

  • [FEATURED EXHIBIT] Smith & Wesson Victory Model 10 Revolver
  • [APR. 9 DINNER MEETING] Patrick Donovan on U.S. Civil War Battle of New Bern
  • [FEATURED EXHIBIT] Thomas Ives’ U.S. Civil War Ship Flags
  • Scale-Model of a U.S. Civil War Union Cavalryman
  • [FEATURE ARTICLE] John Browning’s Remarkable Automatic Rifle: the BAR

Welcome to the Varnum Continentals Website!

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

Recent Posts

  • [FEATURED EXHIBIT] Smith & Wesson Victory Model 10 Revolver
  • [APR. 9 DINNER MEETING] Patrick Donovan on U.S. Civil War Battle of New Bern
  • [FEATURED EXHIBIT] Thomas Ives’ U.S. Civil War Ship Flags

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