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 […]
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 […]
[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 […]
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 […]
[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 […]
[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. […]
[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 […]
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 […]
[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, […]
[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 […]
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