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

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

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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, […]

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

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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 […]

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

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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 […]

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

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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 […]

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

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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 […]

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

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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 […]

[MAY 9 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker LTC Oscar Diano (US Army): The Philippine Scouts and the Last Horse Cavalry Charge in Combat

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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 […]

[FEATURE ARTICLE] The Only Nazi Bomb To Hit North America: An East Greenwich Connection

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This story takes us up north to Canada’s Gaspe Peninsula and involves a well-known East Greenwich resident. Our tale starts in 1942. Canada was under attack by marauding German U-boats that were sinking ships carrying vital supplies to Great Britain as they ventured down the St. Lawrence River and out to sea. Faced with the […]

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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