Varnum Continentals

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

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[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Latham Artillery Battery Confederate Guidon

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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 […]

Renovating the Varnum Armory Dining Room

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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 […]

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

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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 […]

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

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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. […]

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

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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 […]

The glamorous work of museum exhibit conservation

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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 […]

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

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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, […]

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

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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 […]

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.

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