Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Home
  • Join!
    • Varnum Continentals Marching Militia
    • Varnum Continentals Membership
  • Donate
  • About
    • History of the Varnum Continentals
    • About James Mitchell Varnum
    • Officers of Corporation and Board of Trustees
  • Event Rentals
    • Event Rentals at the Varnum Memorial Armory
  • Museums
    • Featured Museum Exhibits
    • Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
      • Tour the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
    • Varnum House Museum
    • Book a Museum Tour
    • EVENT SPACES FOR RENT
  • Feature Articles
  • Blog
  • Calendar
  • Contact
  • RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP!
  • Join the Varnums!
  • Make a Donation!
  • Book a Tour!
  • EVENT SPACES FOR RENT
You are here: Home / Speaking Program / [DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Women in Combat: From the American Revolution to the Modern Day

[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Women in Combat: From the American Revolution to the Modern Day

November 30, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

Deborah Sampson of Massachusetts
Deborah Sampson of Massachusetts

The presence of women on the battlefield caring for the wounded goes back centuries. Women today serve in front-line duties, but that wasn’t an accepted practice in the past. Many stories exist about women who donned uniforms and fought beside men on the battlefield. Countless other women provided nursing care and support services behind the lines. During the Civil War, hundreds of women were involved in active combat. These women, usually in some type of uniform, braved the battlefield and were sometimes armed.

American women on the battlefield trace their existence back to the Revolutionary War and Deborah Sampson of Massachusetts. In the U.S. Civil War, Rhode Island’s own Kady Brownell joined her husband on the front lines. Dressed in female attire, she served as a color bearer, one of the most dangerous roles in combat at the time. There’s a twist to her story, though. In 1864, General U.S. Grant banned women from military encampments, but that didn’t stop the practice. Women continued to go on the battlefield to care for the wounded. Some served as spies. They managed to enlist and conceal their identities until they were killed or wounded. Others made it through the war without their true identities revealed.

Kady Brownell
Kady Brownell

Author, lecturer, and Varnum Trustee Brian Wallin will tell Deborah Sampson’s and Kady Brownell’s stories along with those of other women who contributed to the war efforts over the centuries, providing the foundation that enables American women to participate in every area of military service today.

Reservations must be received by 5 pm Friday, December 9. Call Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or email scott@ritemps.com.

TIME: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
MENU: Steamship round of beef, scalloped potatoes, roasted vegetables, and chocolate mousse.
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818.
FEE: $20/person


Join the Varnum Continentals for $50!

At only $50 per person annually, membership keeps you in the Varnum loop and supports our efforts to preserve U.S. history and educate the public. Members get a monthly newsletter and can also attend our monthly dinner programs that feature authoritative and engaging speakers on historic and military topics. CLICK HERE TO JOIN NOW!



Make a Donation!

We’re a private nonprofit organization receiving no state or federal funding. We depend on your donations to support out valuable work to preserve U.S. history and support our two museums. MAKE A DONATION TODAY!


Filed Under: Speaking Program Tagged With: 19th century, civil war, revolutionary war, speaker program, speaking program, Varnum Membership, varnum memorial armory

[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster

December 3, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

In December 1917, a World War I ammunition ship blew up in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. This massive event was listed as the largest man-made explosion in human history prior to atomic weapons and totally devastated the city. Thousands died. Our December speaker, Varnum Member Greg Banner, will describe the background, event, response, and results and discuss aspects of military, nautical, local, and emergency response history.

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

  • [DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster
  • Varnum Armory Bathroom Renovation!
  • Watch the Varnum Armory on Rhode Island Wave!

Search

Copyright © 2023 Varnum Continentals || Log in