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[FEBRUARY 15 DINNER MEETING] Barbed Wire College: Rhode Island and the Secret POW Camps of World War II

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EVENT UPDATE: Due to the possibility of a winter storm, the Varnum Members Meeting scheduled for February 8 has been postponed one week. The new meeting date is MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15. PLEASE RSVP AGAIN: If you have already RSVP’d and plan to attend the February 15 meeting, please RSVP again by FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12, to […]

[FEATURE ARTICLE] The Famed Colt Model 1860 Army Revolver Joins the Varnum Memorial Armory Collection

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When I was growing up in Connecticut, my father was a state government executive based in Hartford and I can recall often passing by the Colt Firearms Company with its signature dome located just outside the city. As a youngster, I had the chance to tour the factory and remember seeing some of the famed […]

[FEATURE ARTICLE] A Conversation with Armory Curator Patrick Donovan

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Departing from our usual article of historic interest, this month we spoke with Armory Vice President & Museum Curator Patrick Donovan about some of the exciting developments going on both in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum building and our collection. Q. Tell us a little about yourself. What brought you to Rhode Island? How did […]

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] 1804 Passport Signed by Thomas Jefferson and James Madison!

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Look what we just found! Yet ANOTHER treasure in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum archives.  This is an 1804 ship’s passport signed by President Thomas Jefferson AND then Secretary of State James Madison. If you’d like to see this and other fantastic exhibits, then book a tour at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum!

[JANUARY DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: John McNiff, Roger Williams National Memorial

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The Varnum Continentals welcome John McNiff, a Ranger with the National Park Service at the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence, as our guest speaker at the January Varnum Members Meeting on Monday, January 11, 2016.  This dinner is open to Varnum Members and their guests, and is held at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum […]

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] New Artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry

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Christmas came early for the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. We just acquired several wonderful identified artifacts from the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, a hard-fighting unit in the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. Thank you, Brendan Synnamon and your shop, The Union Drummer Boy, for putting all these things together! HISTORY: 1st Rhode […]

[DECEMBER DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: Tim Gray of the World War II Foundation

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We are honored to welcome Tim Gray (Chairman of the World War II Foundation and national award-winning documentary film maker) as our guest speaker at the December 2015 Varnum Members Meeting. The World War II Foundation is one of the world’s leading non-profit organizations committed to educating future generations about the personal stories of the […]

Guns & Beer VI Beer Tasting Fundraiser: We’re Bringin’ Out the BIG guns! (NOVEMBER 14, 2015)

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Varnum Annual Beer Tasting Fundraiser Slated for Saturday, November 14, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum =========== BUY TICKETS ONLINE! This popular beer tasting fundraiser, now in its 6th year, features RI breweries, museum tours, raffles, food, and oh, yeah: the BIG guns (as in Civil War canons and […]

[FEATURE ARTICLE] Infantry Weapons in the Spanish-American War: Forging New Directions

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The charge up San Juan Hill on July 1, 1898, is looked upon as one of the high points of the emotion-charged Spanish American War. But for many American soldiers on the ground, it was a nightmare. American troops faced Spanish forces equipped with one of the finest rifles then available: the Model 1893 Mauser. […]

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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