Varnum Continentals

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

Varnum Social Media!

You are here: Home / Archives for varnum memorial armory

Motorcycles on Main (Feb. 24-25, 2018)

By

CLICK HERE TO BUY ADVANCED TICKETS! On Saturday (10AM to 6PM) and Sunday (12PM to 5PM), February 24-25, the Varnum Continentals will host its first “Motorcycles on Main” motorcycle show fundraising event at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main Street, East Greenwich, RI. Tickets are $10 in advance, and $12 at the door. MOTORCYCLE […]

Renovating the Varnum Armory Dining Room

By

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 […]

The glamorous work of museum exhibit conservation

By

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

By

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

By

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 […]

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] The Lewis Light Machine Gun of World War I

By

At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum we have an exceptional example of a World War I Lewis light machine gun originally designed by an American, Isaac Newton Lewis, but rejected by US Ordinance. Lewis took his design to Belgium, where it was received with some enthusiasm. Prior to the fall of Belgium to the Germans […]

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] American Civil War Tin Type of Rhode Island’s James Winterbottom

By

This American Civil War tin type photograph at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum shows North Smithfield native Private James Winterbottom of Troop C of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry. He enlisted on August 4, 1861 and served until December 1864. He must have seen a lot of action including the Battle of Cedar Mountain, Second […]

[DEC 11 DINNER MEETING] Maureen Taylor on her book “The Last Muster: Images of the Revolutionary War Generation”

By

Our December 11 Varnum Member Dinner Meeting will feature a discussion by the author of “The Last Muster”, a remarkable two-volume book (Amazon.com: Volume I || Volume II) by internationally known expert of photographic history, Maureen Taylor. Clients from around the world have sought her expertise in historic photograph identification, photo preservation, and family history […]

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Books: 1852 “Pictorial Life of George Washington” and an 1885 “Barner’s Brief History of the United States”

By

Here’s another great donation to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum‘s collection: an 1852 edition of a “Pictorial Life of George Washington” and an 1885 “Barner’s Brief History of the United States”. Fantastic images in both books! Thank you Joanne and Mike Breslin!

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Tail fin from a World War II Luftwaffe Focke-Wulf fighter plane

By

The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum received a fascinating new donation from new Varnum Continentals member, Richard Clarke. His grandfather, a World War II radio operator and mechanic with the Army Air Force, acquired this piece of wreckage from a German airplane. This is part of a tail fin from a Focke-Wulf FW 190, a mainstay […]

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

Newsletter