At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have artist Frank Quagan’s rendition of “Varnum’s Black Regiment”, the integrated 1st Rhode Island Regiment formed during the American Revolutionary War.
James Mitchell Varnum was an early proponent for freeing enslaved people in exchange for their service. It is said that he largely is responsible for convincing General George Washington to support the policy.
Frank Quagan’s rendition of “Varnum’s Black Regiment” 
Frank Quagan’s rendition of “Varnum’s Black Regiment” 
Frank Quagan’s rendition of “Varnum’s Black Regiment”
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