Varnum Continentals

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

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[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Thomas Ives’ U.S. Civil War Ship Flags

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Our Varnum Memorial Armory Curator, Patrick Donovan, was reading a first-hand account of the 4th Rhode Island Volunteers at the Battle of New Bern in the U.S. Civil War, and came across the names of the ship captains who made up the naval force accompanying the expeditionary force. He faintly recognized one of the names: […]

Scale-Model of a U.S. Civil War Union Cavalryman

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Rich Faranelli, a phenomenal modeler, just completed a 120mm-scale U.S. Civil War Union Cavalryman for display at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. The detail is incredible. At 9-inches tall, it will be a great visual aid for people to show what they looked like with all of their gear in place. We have a Cavalry […]

[FEATURE ARTICLE] John Browning’s Remarkable Automatic Rifle: the BAR

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Sitting on a display case in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum’s “World Wars Room” is a Model M1918A2 Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR). Introduced late in World War I and now known by infantrymen around the globe, the “BAR” was the product of the fertile mind of John Moses Browning. He is considered to be one […]

[FEATURE ARTICLE] A Fowler Musket With a Rhode Island Connection

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As we have come to discover, the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum archives are a genuine treasure trove. Armory Museum Curator Patrick Donovan and the rest of his team continue to sift through decades of acquisitions, and have come up with some surprising pieces. Recently, an item was discovered that carries an interesting history of its […]

[MAR. 12 DINNER MEETING] Admiral William Sims Brings Baseball to England to Unify Allies in World War I

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When the US entered World War I, the country was not fully prepared. Our Army had to be mobilized, expanded, and trained; our Navy was considered the world’s third largest. The officer who led the Navy in Europe, Rear Admiral William E. Sims, had a reputation as a reformer and brought his leadership experience across […]

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Restored United Train of Artillery Militia Flag

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At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum we have a hand-embroidered and fully restored militia flag for the United Train Of Artillery from Providence, RI. They were one of the early founding companies of the U.S. Artillery. Formed on April 22, 1775, they participated in the Siege of Boston, the Battle of Long Island, and the […]

[FEB. 12 DINNER MEETING] 50 Tons of Fighting Fury: Navy PT Boats and their Crews

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The news media called them “The Plywood Navy.” The Japanese called them “Devil Boats.” Historian, author, and lecturer Brian L. Wallin brings to life the story of the US Navy’s Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center in Melville, Rhode Island, and the men who fanned out from the Ocean State with their small war craft […]

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Bible of Alfred G. Gardner, American Civil War Hero

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Another stunning and important Rhode Island historical artifact has been loaned to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum: the bible of Private Alfred G. Gardner of Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery, killed in action at Gettysburg, PA, on July 3rd, 1863 while manning his gun (now referred to as the “Gettysburg Gun”). This battle-scarred […]

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

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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

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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 […]

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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