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You are here: Home / Speaking Program / [JAN. 14 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: John McNiff on the 1772 Gaspee Affair

[JAN. 14 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: John McNiff on the 1772 Gaspee Affair

January 9, 2019 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Continentals welcome John McNiff 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 at 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI.

McNiff has created and presented numerous programs and lectures about Roger Williams, co-founder founder of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and early proponent of religious freedom. He has consulted, worked on, and appeared in several films about the Colonial period, with a special focus on the early Colonial history of Rhode Island. Here’s a sample from YouTube!

John McNiff is a Rhode Island native. Raised in Warwick, he attended Rhode Island College and received his BA in History with a minor in Anthropology in 1979. After studying archaeology in England and working on numerous archaeological projects throughout New England, he received his MA in Anthropology, specializing in archaeology, in 1990 from SUNY Binghamton. In 1996 John began working with the National Park Service and in 1997 was stationed as a Park Ranger at the Roger Williams National Memorial on North Main Street in Providence.

Please RSVP by 5:30 PM on Friday, January 11, to Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or by email at scott@ritemps.com.

Meeting Date: Monday, January 14, 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 (dinner followed by presentation).
Time: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
Location: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
Dinner Menu: Italian dinner: stuffed shells, eggplant Parmesan, sausage, potatoes, peppers & onions, antipasto, Italian bread, coffee and spumoni
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!



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Filed Under: Speaking Program, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: Roger Williams, speaker program, 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.

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