Varnum Continentals

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

Varnum Social Media!

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Join!
    • Varnum Continentals Marching Militia
    • Volunteer with the Varnum Continentals
    • Varnum Continentals Membership
  • Donate
  • About
    • History of the Varnum Continentals
    • About James Mitchell Varnum
    • Board of Trustees
  • Event Rentals
  • Museums
    • Featured Museum Exhibits
    • Varnum Memorial Armory
    • Varnum House Museum
    • Book a Tour
    • Event Spaces for Rent
  • Feature Articles
  • Blog
  • Calendar
  • Contact
You are here: Home / Blog

[MAY 9 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker LTC Oscar Diano (US Army): The Philippine Scouts and the Last Horse Cavalry Charge in Combat

May 4, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Philippine Scouts was a military organization of the United States Army from 1901 until the end of World War II. Made up of Filipino-Americans assigned to the United States Army Philippine Department, Philippine Scout units were given a suffix of (PS), to distinguish them from other U.S. Army units. One of these units, the […]

Filed Under: Speaking Program Tagged With: Bataan Peninsula, cavalry, Philippine Scouts, speaking program, World War II

Renovations Continue at the Varnum Armory Museum!

April 24, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

Armory Curator Patrick Donovan and Varnum Continentals Treasurer Tim Jackson (along with other volunteers) have made great progress toward the renovation of the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum’s exhibit spaces.  There’s be demolition, new LED lighting for display cases, lining of display cases with unbleached linen, and overall painting.  Once that’s done, we will put down […]

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: varnum memorial armory, volunteer

[FEATURE ARTICLE] The Only Nazi Bomb To Hit North America: An East Greenwich Connection

April 10, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

This story takes us up north to Canada’s Gaspe Peninsula and involves a well-known East Greenwich resident. Our tale starts in 1942. Canada was under attack by marauding German U-boats that were sinking ships carrying vital supplies to Great Britain as they ventured down the St. Lawrence River and out to sea. Faced with the […]

Filed Under: Feature Article Tagged With: canada, SS Nicoya, submarine, U-165, u-boat, World War II

Varnum House Yard Cleanup a Huge Success!

April 10, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

We’d like to thank all the volunteers who came to the Varnum House Museum on April 9, 2016 to help us clean up the grounds and yard perimeter. There was lots of work to be done including the cleaning of leaves and yard debris, pruning bushes, limbing up trees, and a lot more.  As you […]

Filed Under: Varnum House Museum, Varnum Volunteers Tagged With: james mitchell varnum, varnum house museum, volunteer, yard cleanup

[FEATURE ARTICLE] The Quonset Hut: A Rhode Island Original That Went to War – Worldwide

April 10, 2016 By Brian Wallin

It was 1941 and like it or not, America was gearing up for war. One major challenge was how to house people and supplies around the globe. The answer came from right here in Rhode Island: the Quonset hut. This writer recently became interested in this simple, multi-purpose structure while researching another story. As it […]

Filed Under: Feature Article Tagged With: quonset hut, Seabee, world war I, World War II

Spring Clean-Up of the Varnum House Museum Grounds on Sat., April 9, 2016

April 4, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

Spring is here … and work at the Varnum House Museum is in full swing as the 2016 season approaches.  Inside, the museum is starting to sparkle as painting and cleaning proceed. Outside, we are starting to tackle yard work. Many hands make light work, and we need yours. BRING YOUR RAKES AND WORK GLOVES. […]

Filed Under: Varnum House Museum, Varnum Volunteers Tagged With: 19th century, revolutionary war, varnum house museum, Varnum Membership, volunteers

March with the Varnum Continentals!

April 2, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Newport kicked off the start of the 2016 season for the Varnum Continentals Marching Militia.  The streets were packed, the crowds lively, and the participating Historic RI Military Commands were out in force and looking sharp. Afterwards, the Newport Artillery Company Armory was open for refreshments and a look […]

Filed Under: Varnum Continentals Marching Militia Tagged With: Historic Rhode Island Military Commands, newport artillery, Varnum Continentals Marching Militia

[APRIL 11 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker David Trimmer: Exploring the Titanic

April 1, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

The sinking of the steamship RMS Titanic has mesmerized and fascinated people for generations. What is it about this tragedy that has caught our collective imagination and interest from among the thousands of other tragedies that happened throughout history? Everyone knows the basics of the story of the Titanic, but how many know the many […]

Filed Under: Speaking Program, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: speaker program, speaking program, titanic, Varnum Membership, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURE EXHIBIT] Artillery Sponge/Rammer, and Worm for Civil War James Canon

March 30, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

We had a great time at the Baltimore Antique Arms Show!  Our collection now has a fantastic artillery sponge/rammer and worm for the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum‘s Civil War James gun. This set has its original paint and appears to have been actually used in the field to load and swab the bore of a […]

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, artillery, canon, civil war, james canon, varnum memorial armory

Varnum House Museum Preparing for Spring

March 4, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

Varnum House Volunteer Docents.

The Varnum House Museum is gearing up for its 2016 season, and we are currently seeking volunteers to act as docents (tour guides). Training will be provided. Built in 1773, the House is the former manor home of General James Mitchell Varnum. Please contact Barbara Weaver at house@varnumcontinentals.org or call 401-377-0047.

Filed Under: Varnum House Museum, Varnum Volunteers Tagged With: 17th century, docent program, revolutionary war, varnum house museum, Varnum Membership, volunteer

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • …
  • 13
  • 14
  • 15
  • 16
  • 17
  • …
  • 19
  • Next Page »

Featured Posts

[FEB. 11 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: P. DiMaria and R. Pedro on RI Civil War soldier Private Alfred G. Gardner

February 6, 2019 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum exhibit that features the battle-scarred Bible and other artifacts belonging to Rhode Island Civil War soldier Private Alfred G. Gardner (Battery B First Rhode Island Light Artillery) tells a story of sacrifice and devotion to a higher cause. The Bible served as Gardner’s private journal, in which he made observations […]

Recent Posts

  • [FEB. 11 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: P. DiMaria and R. Pedro on RI Civil War soldier Private Alfred G. Gardner
  • [FEATURE ARTICLE] Young Charley Baker of Wickford: North Kingstown’s First American Civil War Killed in Action
  • [JAN. 14 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: John McNiff on the 1772 Gaspee Affair
  • [FEATURE ARTICLE] Samuel Colt and His Legendary Model 1860 Army Revolver
  • [FEATURE ARTICLE] Stiletto — Born in Rhode Island: First of the Mosquito Fleet

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

  • [FEB. 11 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: P. DiMaria and R. Pedro on RI Civil War soldier Private Alfred G. Gardner
  • [FEATURE ARTICLE] Young Charley Baker of Wickford: North Kingstown’s First American Civil War Killed in Action
  • [JAN. 14 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: John McNiff on the 1772 Gaspee Affair

Newsletter

Search

Copyright © 2019 Varnum Continentals || Log in