Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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You are here: Home / Archives for James Mitchell Varnum

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Airman Stephen E. Roomes and the Air Force’s “Prime BEEF” Unit

August 21, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

Airman Stephen E. Roomes (left) of Providence, RI, was the first and only Black American to serve in the Air Force’s first “Prime BEEF” unit (Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force). This highly rapid deployment, special civil engineering unit was created to establish and maintain bases and airfields, as well as respond to chemical, biological, and radiological emergencies.

Stephen served in the Korean War as well as Vietnam War. He and his son, Jason, are direct descendants of Caesar Roomes who had been freed from enslavement to serve in the 1st Rhode Island “Black” Regiment during the American Revolutionary War.

A collection of Stephen’s things will go on display soon at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum in a new Cold War exhibit.

BOOK A TOUR AT THE VARNUM MEMORIAL ARMORY MUSEUM!

Airman Stephen E. Roomes
Airman Stephen E. Roomes
Airman Stephen E. Roomes

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum House Museum Tagged With: black history, korean war, revolutionary war, varnum memorial armory, vietnam war

RI National Guard Tour the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

July 17, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we gave an in-depth tour for a group of new Rhode Island National Guard recruits as part of their Recruit Sustainment Program. They loved it! So did the officers present they want to make this a regular part of their program.

They expressed how important it is to learn how their military heritage builds toward a sense of inclusion, teamwork, and esprit de corps. We are proud to support these future American soldiers.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A TOUR!

Filed Under: Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: national guard, varnum memorial armory

Varnum Continentals Contribute to RI Public School Curriculum

June 11, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Continentals are excited to work with the Rhode Island Foundation, Rhode Island Historical Society, and the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society to introduce teachers to a new public school curriculum on the famed First Rhode Island Regiment of the Revolutionary War. Artifacts from the Varnum Armory Museum are a part of the program.

1st Rhode Island Regiment Soldier
Presentation on the New Curriculum
Presentation on the New Curriculum.

Filed Under: Historic Preservation, Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: museum exhibit, revolutionary war, varnum memorial armory

Varnum House Museum 2022 Tour Season

June 5, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum House Museum will be open to the public for the 2022 tour season on Sundays from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM weekly starting on July 10, 2022. Tours for groups are available by appointment.

Visit the 1773 mansion of General James Mitchell Varnum, a prominent figure in the Revolutionary War and early-American politics. An on-site colonial herb garden includes dye and medicinal plants that are appropriate to the era.

Varnum House Museum
Varnum House Museum

HOURS

Open to the public on Sundays from 1:00 to 3:00 PM.

GROUP TOURS

Available by appointment.

CONTACT

401-884-1776 or email house@varnumcontinentals.org

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum House Museum Tagged With: 18th century, varnum house museum

Watch “A STITCH IN TIME” filmed at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

June 4, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

If you weren’t able to watch the PBS documentary “A Stitch in Time” on it’s original May 29 air date, we’ve got you covered!

Follow the link to watch this fascinating half-hour documentary showing the journey of America’s oldest colonial militia flag, from the First Company of Bristol County Militia in the 1690s to the present day, as it undergoes delicate conservation at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum under the eye of an expert textile conservator.

Watch the full documentary here:

Filed Under: Historic Preservation, Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: flag, varnum memorial armory

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[MAR. 20 DINNER MEETING] Maria Vazquez on Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor

March 5, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

On Monday, March 20, Varnum Armory Vice President Maria Vazquez is the featured speaker for our monthly members meeting. Her presentation, “A Brief History of Anchors and the Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor,” will give an account of the history of anchors, how they developed, and how they were used. The presentation will continue with Maria’s insight into the thought and research that went into conserving an anchor from the USS Constellation, a sloop-of-war ship.

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

  • [MAR. 20 DINNER MEETING] Maria Vazquez on Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor
  • [DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster
  • Varnum Armory Bathroom Renovation!

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