Thomas Nichols Letter at the Varnum Armory … a Stunning 18th-Century African American Artifact
Tired and tempted to just throw it all away, I stuck my hand one more time into a large moldy cardboard box filled with random receipts, notes, and other mid-20th-century detritus. It had belonged to one of our founding members who had long since passed. Digging through this old box was part of a (still on-going) gargantuan effort to properly re-pack everything in storage at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum located at 6 Main St. here in East Greenwich, RI.
Exhibit Space Renovations at the Varnum Armory
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have launched an exciting new project to build new, professional exhibit displays. This includes new blackout shades to restricts ultra-violet from damaging our historic documents, dyed textiles, and original photos. We are also laying out displays before the new display cases arrive.
[FUNDRAISER] Help us acquire American Civil War sword of Capt. James H. Allen, 12th RI Infantry Regiment!
This rare presentation sword was carried by James H. Allen (12th Rhode Island Infantry Regiment) in combat at the Battle of Fredericksburg during the American Civil War. It is a powerful symbol of the sacrifice and service that Rhode Island made during the War to preserve the Union and to end the ugly institution of slavery.
Union soldiers of the American Civil War walk among us at the Varnum Memorial Armory!
Our preservation production team is putting the finishing touches on a custom dress form for a rare New Jersey American Civil War uniform. This dress form shows the infantryman in motion and highlights a wound from being shot through the thigh at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863.
Preservation in Action at the Varnum Memorial Armory!
Here’s our preservation production team in action. They’re fabricating a custom dress form for a rare New Jersey American Civil War uniform that will show the infantryman in motion and highlight a wound from being shot through the thigh at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863.
Revolutionary War Commission Document belonging to James Mitchell Varnum
This American Revolutionary War commission document at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum was presented to James Mitchell Varnum of East Greenwich, RI (Varnum House Museum) on May 10, 1779, naming him Major General of all Rhode Island Militia forces opposing the Crown troops of Britain. It is now properly framed and on display for the first time thanks to the generous donations made by our Facebook followers.
[VARNUM ANNOUNCEMENT] Armory to host rare exhibit focusing on Rhode Island’s American Civil War and African American history
The Rhode Island Historical Society (RIHS) and Varnum Continentals have joined forces to save and bring home a unique piece of Rhode Island American Civil War and African American history! It will soon be on display at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.
Revolutionary War-period letter written by African American Veteran Thomas Nichols
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have discovered an American Revolutionary War-period letter written (dictated) by African American Thomas Nichols and signed with “his mark”. Freed from enslavement to serve in the First Rhode Island Regiment, Thomas writes to his former “master and mistress” asking for help in getting a discharge since the Revolutionary […]
Rhode Island Society of Colonial Wars Donates $9,000 to Varnum Armory
Irving C. Sheldon Jr. (President of the Rhode Island Chapter of the Society of Colonial Wars (SCW)) presented the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum with $9,000 towards the conservation and framing of the historic Bristol flags.
Varnum Continentals’ COVID-19 Precautions
In response to the national emergency and recommendations from the CDC, the Varnum Continentals are not offering tours of our two museums until further notice. With regard to facility rentals, we are in touch with renters regarding our currently scheduled events and working with them on a case-by-case basis. At this time, you can still […]