Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island Military History to Inpire and Educate the Public.

  • 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 / Blog

Story of Gettysburg and Bull Run Cannons on “State of the State”

September 26, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

Watch this episode of “State of the State”, where host Richard August interviews Varnum Continentals President Patrick Donovan about moving of two American Civil War cannons from the Rhode Island State House to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, where they are now on display for the public.

This move took place on August 5 and 6, through the efforts of several volunteer. Each cannon brings with it historically important stories about the cannons themselves and the battles they served in, the men associated with each, lives lost, and much more. Pictures of the cannons and the Rhode Island men associated with these two cannons are shown.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, civil war, museum exhibit, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon

September 19, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

It took some work at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, but the Bull Run cannon’s gun tube is finally free of packed trash. We tried compressed air and plumbing augers, but what worked (with a lot of effort) was an American Civil War-period artillery worm! An unconventional use of an historic artifact, perhaps, but it got the job done. This is perhaps the first time the cannon had been wormed since the Battle of Bull Run on July 21, 1861.

The packed trash itself is a time capsule, including an empty pack of cigarettes from the early 1900s. Here’s what one source said about them:

“In the early 1900s, manufactures of Turkish and Egyptian cigarettes tripled their sales and became legitimate competitors to leading brands. The New York-based Greek tobacconist Soterios Anargyros produced the hand-rolled Murad cigarettes, made of pure Turkish tobacco. P. Lorillard acquired the Murad brand in 1911 through the dissolution of the Cigarette Trust, explaining the high quality of the Murad advertisements in the following years.

Murad, along with other Turkish cigarette brands referenced the “Oriental” roots of their Turkish tobacco blends through pack art and advertising images. They also capitalized on the Eastern-inspired fashion trends of the time, which were inspired by the Ballets Russes (1909-1929) and its performance of “Scherazade.” The vibrant colors, luxurious jewels, exoticism and suggestive nature of the images in these advertisements contributed greatly to their appeal.

Women drenched in pearls, jewels and feathers, wearing harem pants or flowing dresses, were paired in the ads with men in expensive suits or in exotic turbans. The Orientalism, exoticism and luxury are evoked through Eastern-inspired garb accentuated the Turkish origins of the tobacco and presented it in an alluring, modern light. Indeed, the women in these ads, in particular, is seen as less of a reflection on Victorian femininity than a fantasy of an exotic enchantress from a foreign land or a modern woman shedding the shackles of Victorian propriety.”

Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, civil war, museum exhibit, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Bullet-Struck World War II Helmet

September 12, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

This bullet-struck World War II U.S. Marine helmet shows that a bullet entered through the rear, passed through the cover, liner, and shell, and then exited at the front rim. It is unknown if the owner was killed, wounded, or wasn’t wearing it at the time. Based on one researcher, the helmet was most likely used at Peleliu, Iwo Jima, and/or Okinawa.

What’s left of the cover retains the original red painted circle on rear, denoting Shore Party duty. The shell and liner both exhibit their red painted square tac marks (also denoting Shore Party). Shore Party forces marked routes inland, organized the beach, directed units and supplies to the front, and controlled stragglers and prisoners.

As the Marine Corps could not find enough engineers and other personnel quickly enough to suit their needs, five Naval Construction Battalions (“Seabees”) were eventually transferred to the Corps to augment their engineer regiments in the Shore/Beach Party role.

This exhibit is on loan and on display at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: museum exhibit, varnum memorial armory, World War II

[PRESERVATION] Rhode Island Regiment Flag of 1781

September 11, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

Here’s one of only a couple dozen flags from the American Revolution that exist today. This is the Rhode Island Regiment flag of 1781 carried at the Siege of Yorktown. The Rhode Island Regiment at the time was comprised of the 2nd Rhode Island Regiment and the remains of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment (the “Black Regiment”).

We are working with Rhode Island State officials and the National Museum of the United States Army to conserve and display this amazing flag for the public to see!

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

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Battle Damage to the Gettysburg Gun of Battery B

September 10, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

Check out the visible battle damage on the right wheel of the Gettysburg Gun of Battery B (1st Rhode Island Light Artillery). The Gettysburg (and Bull Run) guns are installed at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! We can now see these incredible relics see other interesting details from their time in the American Civil War.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, civil war, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Gettysburg and Bull Run Cannons on Exhibit at the Varnum Armory

August 6, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Gettysburg and Bull Run guns are safely installed at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! Thanks to the help of numerous volunteers, we can now see these incredible relics in in good lighting and be able to walk around them to see the extensive battle damage from their time in the American Civil War.

Filed Under: Historic Preservation, Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, American Civil War, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Varnums to Host “Gettysburg Gun” and the “Bull Run Gun” at the Armory

July 31, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum is excited to announce that we will be temporary caretakers of two of Rhode Island’s most important military artifacts: the “Gettysburg Gun” (pictured) and the “Bull Run Gun”. These two American Civil War cannons represent incredible, emotional tales of Rhode Island heroism and sacrifice. We are developing all new interpretative signage to tell their epic stories. To complement the cannon exhibit, the Varnum Armory Museum collection includes several artifacts on display that are directly related to the guns and the pivotal battles they are named for.

The cannons will be on display at the Varnum Armory for a period of two years starting this August. This coincides with a major renovation project that will be on-going at the Rhode Island State House, making this temporary loan both good timing and a true “win-win” for both the State and the Varnum Armory Museum.

We would like to thank Governor Dan McKee, the Secretary of State’s Office, the RI State Legislature, RI State Archives, RI Department of Administration, RI Department of Capital Asset Management and Maintenance, the Rhode Island State House Restoration Society, as well as the RI State House Facility Management team for all their support and good will towards this project.

We are honored to be able to care for these historic guns and will share their stories soon! Stay tuned!

Gettysburg Gun in RI State House

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

[PHOTOS] Open House at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

July 23, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

On Sunday, July 23, the Varnum Continentals hosted an open house at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. It was great to see folks visit with us and take tours of our military museum (including several young history enthusiasts). The next two Armory open house events will take place on:

— Sunday, August 13 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm
— Thursday, August 24 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm

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

[PHOTOS] Varnum Continentals Historic Militia Cannon Drill at the Varnum House Museum

July 22, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

On Saturday, July 22, the Varnum Continentals Historic Militia held a cannon drill at the Varnum House Museum. We had a great time and enjoyed getting visits from folks in the local community. The historic militia members demonstrated the equipment and procedures used to load a cannon and reviewed safety procedures. After the drill, the cannon was painted.

We were happy to see folks visiting the House’s period herb garden and enjoying the museum grounds. We look forward to seeing you again in the future at the Varnum House Museum!

Filed Under: Varnum Continentals Marching Militia, Varnum House Museum Tagged With: Varnum Continentals Marching Militia, varnum house museum

Varnum Continentals Historic Militia Cannon Drill at the Varnum House Museum

July 19, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

Join the Varnum Continentals Historic Militia on Saturday, July 22, from 10 AM to 2 PM for an informative cannon drill at the Varnum House Museum, 57 Peirce St. East Greenwich, RI (right behind town hall). At the cannon drill, historic militia members will demonstrate the equipment and procedures used to load a cannon in preparation for firing and review safety procedures (the cannon will NOT be fired). After the drill, we’ll be painting the cannon; we welcome your assistance.

While on the Varnum House Museum grounds, visitors can also visit the House’s period herb garden, which was designed and maintained by URI Master Gardeners. We look forward to seeing you at the Varnum House Museum!

The event is free and open to the public. Check out the Facebook Event Link.

Filed Under: Varnum Continentals Marching Militia, Varnum House Museum Tagged With: Varnum Continentals Marching Militia, varnum house museum

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • …
  • 29
  • Next Page »

Story of Gettysburg and Bull Run Cannons on “State of the State”

September 26, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

Watch this episode of “State of the State”, where host Richard August interviews Varnum Continentals President Patrick Donovan about moving of two American Civil War cannons from the Rhode Island State House to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, where they are now on display for the public.

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

Preserving and sharing Rhode Island military history to inspire and educate the public.

Recent Posts

  • Story of Gettysburg and Bull Run Cannons on “State of the State”
  • [FEATURED EXHIBIT] Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
  • [FEATURED EXHIBIT] Bullet-Struck World War II Helmet

Search

Copyright © 2023 Varnum Continentals || Log in