Varnum Continentals

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

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You are here: Home / Archives for World War II

[GALLERY] World War II German Parachute with Carrying Case

February 12, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

World War II German Parachute with Carrying Case

Also shown is a 1943 MP-40 submachine gun.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: MP-40, parachute, varnum memorial armory, World War II

[FEATURE ARTICLE] Red Roses & Silver Wings: A World War II Memoir with a Varnum Connection

February 9, 2017 By Brian Wallin

By the early spring of 1945, the end of the war in Europe was in sight. The Battle of the Bulge was over and Russian troops were pushing towards Berlin. But the fighting continued on the ground and in the air. Our story this month is typical of thousands of others: a young married couple, […]

Filed Under: Feature Article Tagged With: 44th Bomb Group, B-24, Operation Varsity, World War II

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] World War II 1941 Soviet-Made Model TT-33 “Tokarev” Pistol

January 14, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

Here’s an interesting new addition to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum‘s World War II collection: a 1941 Soviet-made Model TT-33 “Tokarev” pistol. Known for its rugged and reliable design, this pistol (chambered in 7.62 x 25mm) was developed in the 1930s by Fedor Tokarev to replace the aging Model 1895 Nagant revolver. The pistol saw […]

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: pistol, Russia, Soviet, Tokarev, TT-33, varnum memorial armory, World War II

[JAN. 9 DINNER MEETING] Ernest Roberts Shares First-Hand Experiences from World War II

January 4, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Battle of the Bulge, the last major German offensive of World War II, was launched just over 73 years ago. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill called it, “undoubtedly the greatest American battle of the war and will, I believe, be regarded as an ever-famous American victory.” Our January speaker, Mr. Ernest Roberts, was a […]

Filed Under: Speaking Program Tagged With: battle of the bulge, browning machine gun, Ernest Roberts, speaker program, World War II

[FEATURE ARTICLE] Rhode Island Enters World War II: The Aftermath of Pearl Harbor and Block Island’s Defiant Response

December 3, 2016 By Brian Wallin

By the time the Japanese launched their sneak attack on Pearl Harbor 75 years ago this month, Rhode Island had already been gearing up for America’s potential entry into World War II. At the mouth of Narragansett Bay and along the shoreline facing ocean waters, the Army’s massive coast defense forts were manned primarily by […]

Filed Under: Feature Article Tagged With: block island, william doggett, World War II

WWII Foundation presents Remember Pearl Harbor

October 30, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

November 13, 2016 • 1:00 PM Narrated by Tom Selleck Sunday, December 7, 1941 was a beautiful morning on the Hawaiian island of Oahu. A few sailors and soldiers were already up and playing a game of football near Pearl Harbor. Others were sleeping in their barracks or aboard ships after a late night of […]

Filed Under: Feature Article Tagged With: pearl harbor, tom selleck, World War II, WW II Foundation

[FEATURE ARTICLE] The Legendary M1 Garand Rifle: “Best Battle Implement Ever Devised”

October 13, 2016 By Brian Wallin

The M1 Garand rifle is perhaps the weapon most closely identified with the U.S. infantryman in World War II.  General George S. Patton once called it “the best battle implement ever devised.” The 30.06 caliber Garand, weighing in at almost 10 pounds, with its hefty American walnut stock and 8-round clip, is still successful competitively […]

Filed Under: Feature Article, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: M1 Garand, rifle, varnum memorial armory, World War II

[GALLERY] Varnum Armory’s Updated World Wars Display

September 3, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

Check out the updated World Wars display at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! Just go here to book a tour!

Filed Under: Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: varnum memorial armory, world war I, World War II

[FEATURE ARTICLE] Rhode Island’s Top Secret Ear on the World

June 5, 2016 By Brian Wallin

On Darby Road in Scituate, Rhode Island, near the top of the 7th-highest point in the state (732 feet above sea level), is the site of what was once one of the nation’s best kept secrets during World War II: the Chopmist Hill Monitoring Station. In March 1941, the Federal Communications Commission’s Radio Intelligence Division […]

Filed Under: Feature Article Tagged With: feature article, scituate, World War II

[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

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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

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