Story of Gettysburg and Bull Run Cannons on “State of the State”
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.
Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
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.
[PRESERVATION] Rhode Island Regiment Flag of 1781
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 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”).
Battle Damage to the Gettysburg Gun of Battery B
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.
Gettysburg and Bull Run Cannons on Exhibit at the Varnum Armory
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.
Varnums to Host “Gettysburg Gun” and the “Bull Run Gun” at the Armory
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.
[PHOTOS] Open House at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
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).
Uniform of Lance Cpl. Robert w. Cottenier
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have this uniform that was worn by Lance Cpl. Robert w. Cottenier, 21, of Warwick, RI. He was the son of Mildred (Landy) and Marcel Cottenier. He graduated from Veterans Memorial High School in 1966 and worked at Apex before joining the Marines. He was killed in action […]
Watch the Varnum Armory on Rhode Island Wave!
Check out this long-form video interview with Patrick Donovan, curator/VP at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, by “Rhode Island Wave”.
Calligraphy Art of William Henry Pratt
This is an engraving from 1865 where a calligrapher cleverly shaded their penmanship to create a facsimile of Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington using the words of the U.S. Constitution.