Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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Varnum Continentals’ COVID-19 Precautions

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In response to the national emergency and recommendations from the CDC, the Varnum Continentals are not offering tours of our two museums until further notice.

With regard to facility rentals, we are in touch with renters regarding our currently scheduled events and working with them on a case-by-case basis. At this time, you can still inquire about facility rentals, but please understand that the proximity of your tentative event to this national emergency will affect our ability to accommodate you.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause. If you have questions, please email business@varnumcontinentals.org. You’re message will be forwarded to the most appropriate person for a quick response.

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] VERY RARE 39-Star American Flag

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At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we now have a rare 39-star American flag, which was in use for … zero days. Period printed parade flags are occasionally encountered, but generally are uncommon. Flags of pieced and sewn construction in this count (39) are extremely rare with likely less than ten known examples. 39 stars is an unofficial count, because of the introduction of North Dakota (39) and South Dakota (40) at one time, instead of as a single state (formerly the Dakota territory).

Despite the fact that the U.S. went from 38 stars to 40 stars in a single event, 39-star flags are actually more common than 40-star flags, which are extremely rare. Since people anticipated a single state, rather than two, manufacturers produced reasonably large numbers of new flags of the 39 star count, only to find that they would never be official.

Very rare 39-star American flag

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Cold War Memorabilia: Signature of Soviet Spy John A. Walker

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The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum has acquired a rare piece of Cold War memorabilia. Here’s the signature of the Soviet spy, John A. Walker, who sold U.S. Navy secrets for 18 years in one of the most damaging espionage cases of the Cold War.

Varnum Continentals member, John Fischer, studied under Walker to earn his U.S. Naval School Radioman Class A certificate that is signed by Walker. See below for details on this fascinating story. Thank you, John, for donating this unique piece of Cold War history!

See the images in this post for details on this unique exhibit.

  • Close-up of the signature of Soviet spy John A. Walker.
  • Detailed history of the Navy Radioman’s certificate signed by John A. Walker.
  • Navy Radioman Class A certificate signed by spy John A. Walker.
  • Search and Rescue team for US Antarctic Winter-Over Party 1971-1972. John Fischer was the team radioman (2nd person from left). McMurdo Station Antarctica.

[CANCELLED] Naval War College Museum and Varnum Armory Special Lecture, “The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” with Commander Hugh J. Doyle, USN

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In light of the ongoing and accelerating spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19), the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum and the Naval History and Heritage Command have made the decision to CANCEL the Vietnam War Veterans Day Program on Sunday, March 29.

We hope to reschedule the Vietnam Veterans program once these virus concerns pass.

Thank you, and from all of us at the Naval War College Museum and Varnum Continentals, stay healthy!

“The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” with Commander Hugh J. Doyle

On Sunday, March 29, the Naval War College Museum and Varnum Memorial Armory Museum will hold a special program in honor of 2020 Vietnam War Veterans Day. The event will be hosted at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818. A showing of the documentary, “The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” will begin at 3:00 PM and will be followed by a question and answer session with CDR Hugh J. Doyle, USN (Ret.), former Chief Engineer of the USS Kirk during the Fall of Saigon. All Vietnam Veterans will be recognized during the program.

Museum lectures and programs are free and open to the public, and no reservations are required. For details, contact Jessica Fowler, Naval War College Museum, Director of Education and Public Outreach (401-841-7276 // jessica.fowler@usnwc.edu).

Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

Varnum Memorial Armory Open for Tours (1:00 PM to 3:00 PM)

As a special treat, the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum will be open for tours of its extensive military museum prior to the event from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

About the Program

“The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” with CDR Hugh J. Doyle
Sunday, March 29, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

USS Kirk (FF-1087)

As the Vietnam War reached its tragic climax in the last days of April 1975, a task force of United States (US) Navy ships cruised off South Vietnam’s coast. Their mission was to support the evacuation of American embassy personnel and military advisers from Saigon as well as to secure the safety of the South Vietnamese whose lives were endangered by the North Vietnamese victory. The Lucky Few recounts the selfless acts of heroism of the 275 Officers and Sailors of the US Navy ship USS Kirk (DE-1087). The crew of the Kirk, trained as warriors, was suddenly forced into an unexpected role in the evacuation of refugees from Saigon. Dubbed Operation Frequent Wind, it was the final act of the Vietnam War.

About Commander Hugh J. Doyle, USN (Retired)

Hugh J. Doyle, CDR, USN (Ret.)

Commander Hugh J. Doyle, USN (Retired) served as a Surface Warfare Officer for more than twenty years.  As a young Lieutenant, and the Chief Engineer on USS Kirk (DE-1087) in 1975, he took part in Operation Eagle Pull (the evacuation of Cambodia), Operation Frequent Wind (the evacuation of Vietnam), and Operation New Life (the voyage of 32 vessels of the former South Vietnamese Navy, carrying more than 33,000 refugees from Vietnam to the Philippines). CDR Doyle served as Executive Officer (XO) of the USS Fanning (FF-1076) and was promoted to Commander while attached to the Fanning. He is a graduate of the Naval War College, the former Vice President and the current Historian of the USS Kirk Association; a steam engineering specialty “hard hat” tour guide for the museum battleship, USS Massachusetts; and a weekly volunteer at the Somerset, MA headquarters of the National Association of Destroyer Veterans – Tin Can Sailors. He now resides in Middletown, Rhode Island.  He is the husband of the late Judy Doyle, the father of three, and the grandfather of four wonderful grandchildren.

[MAR. 9 DINNER MEETING] Historian Robert Grandchamp Chronicles Rhode Island’s U.S. Civil War Dead

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Rhode Island’s Civil War Dead: A Complete Roster

Rhode Islanders participated in nearly every major battle of the American Civil War, firing the first volleys at Bull Run, and some of the last at Appomattox. How many died is a question that has long eluded historians. Drawing on a 20-year study of regimental histories, pension files, letters, diaries, and visits to every cemetery in the state, award-winning Civil War historian Robert Grandchamp documents, in his book Rhode Island’s Civil War Dead, the 2,217 Rhode Islanders who died as a direct result of military service.

At out March meeting, Mr. Grandchamp will talk about his research and findings and tell the story of three Rhode Island men killed in action during the Civil War and whose military artifacts are in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.

About the speaker

Historian Robert Grandchamp

Robert Grandchamp is the award winning author of fifteen books and numerous other works on American military history, including The Seventh Rhode Island Infantry, The Boys of Adam’s Battery G, and Rhody Redlegs. He received his Masters degree in American history from Rhode Island College. Robert is a former National Park Ranger with service at Shenandoah, Blackstone Valley, and Harpers Ferry. Since 2011, he has been an analyst with the U.S. Immigration Service.

Reservations must be received by 6:00 pm Friday, March 6.

PLEASE NOTE: Dinner reservations are mandatory and MUST be received by the RSVP date above. NO WALK-INS ALLOWED!

MEETING DATE: Monday, March 9.
TIME: 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by program)
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI
DINNER MENU: Corned beef dinner; plus Chicken Marsala, salad dessert.
FEE: $20/person

About the Varnum Continentals

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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