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You are here: Home / Archives for West Point

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Cadet Charles Young: Third African American Graduate of West Point

June 20, 2020 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum has a unique albumen photo of the West Point Class of 1877 with Cadet Charles Young, a true American hero. He was the third African American graduate of West Point. He was the first Black American U.S. National Park Superintendent, first military attache, first to achieve the rank of Colonel, and also was the highest-ranking African American officer in the regular Army at that time.

He served with distinction in the American Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, Philippine-American War, the Poncho Villa Expedition, and World War I. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

This exhibit is on loan from Angelo Scarlato.

  • Cadet Charles Young
  • Cadet Charles Young Exhibit
  • Cadet Charles Young Exhibit Card

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: african american history, West Point

[FEATURE ARTICLE] Thomas Nichols Letter at the Varnum Armory … a Stunning 18th-Century African American Artifact

February 11, 2021 By Patrick Donovan

Tired and tempted to just throw it all away, I stuck my hand one more time into a large moldy cardboard box filled with random receipts, notes, and other mid-20th-century detritus. It had belonged to one of our founding members who had long since passed. Digging through this old box was part of a (still on-going) gargantuan effort to properly re-pack everything in storage at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum located at 6 Main St. here in East Greenwich, RI.

About the Varnum Continentals

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

  • [FEATURE ARTICLE] Thomas Nichols Letter at the Varnum Armory … a Stunning 18th-Century African American Artifact
  • [FEATURE ARTICLE] Rhode Island’s Namesake Warships: Past, Present, and (Maybe) Future
  • [FEATURED EXHIBIT] New Display Cases at the Armory

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