Varnum Continentals

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

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You are here: Home / Archives for Museum Exhibits

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Artifacts & Guidon Flag

June 19, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

Selected items in our 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Exhibit
Selected items in our 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Exhibit

In direct relation to our 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag, the Varnum Memorial Armory also has on exhibit the uniform belonging to North Kingstown’s Lyman Aylesworth, one the few cavalrymen to escape the Battle of Middleburg on June 18, 1863.  Click here to book a tour!

Selected items in our 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Exhibit
Selected items in our 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Exhibit
Selected items in our 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Exhibit
Selected items in our 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Exhibit

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, battle of middleburg, civil war, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Company L Guidon Flag from the First Rhode Island Cavalry in the US Civil War

June 19, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

Our restored and newly-framed Company L guidon flag
Our restored and newly-framed Company L guidon flag

June 18, 2016 was the 153rd anniversary of the First Rhode Island Cavalry‘s demise at the Battle of Middleburg during the U.S. Civil War. Nearly surrounded by overwhelming numbers from Jeb Stuart‘s Confederate cavalry, Col. Duffie ordered every man to try to get away. Out of roughly 280 soldiers, only 27 made it out. In the midst of the fray, this guidon flag of Company L was captured late in the morning of June 18th, 1863.  The guidon flag is one of the newer exhibits at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum in East Greenwich, RI.  Click here to book a tour at the armory!

Our restored and newly-framed Company L guidon flag
Our restored and newly-framed Company L guidon flag
Our restored and newly-framed Company L guidon flag
Our restored and newly-framed Company L guidon flag
Our restored and newly-framed Company L guidon flag

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry, civil war, Jeb Stuart, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Civil War Guidon Flag gets Professional Framing

May 18, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

We took the Civil War-era 1st Rhode Island Cavalry guidon flag to Crestar Picture Framing today for a professional display.  In these images, Tony Scelsa takes precise measurements for the new frame.

1st Rhode Island Cavalry guidon flag being professionally framed at Crestar Picture Framing
1st Rhode Island Cavalry guidon flag being professionally framed at Crestar Picture Framing
1st Rhode Island Cavalry guidon flag being professionally framed at Crestar Picture Framing

We plan to mount a plexiglass sheet with museum-quality ultra-violet protection over the flag’s existing archival-safe matting and frame.  The treated plexiglass will protect the flag from light damage and will keep curious fingers and dust off of the cloth.  The display’s backside is open to the unbleached linen backing to allow the flag to breathe.

While the custom framing is ordered and built, the flag will be professionally cleaned previous to display in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.  To book a tour of the Armory’s military history collection, just click here.

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, cavalry, civil war, featured exhibit, flag, guidon

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Guidon Flag at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

May 7, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

The 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag is now on loan to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! This stunning piece of American Civil War history is on display at the armory through a generous loan from the Rhode Island National Guard (RING).  Book a tour at the armory to view this exciting new exhibit!

1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company L guidon flag
1st Rhode Island Cavalry Regiment (Company L) guidon flag

This flag has witnessed some of the most ferocious and important cavalry battles of the Civil War. It was present for the Gettysburg Campaign where the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company were tasked with finding General Robert E. Lee‘s Army of Northern Virginia as it moved north through the Shenandoah Valley towards Maryland and eventually Pennsylvania.

But to find Lee’s Arm, they first had to punch through Confederate General Jeb Stuart’s cavalry screens guarding the mountain gaps.  At Middleburg, VA, the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company were essentially surrounded and attacked by a North Carolina regiment. Out of roughly 280 men, the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry Company lost 250 or so (most being captured).

This flag (belonging to Company L) was captured on that day, June 17, 1863. The flag remained in North Carolina in a museum for over 100 years before North Carolina returned the flag to Rhode Island in a ceremony held at the armory in 2008. The RING has been keeper of the flag ever since. Thank you RING for this generous loan!

BOOK A TOUR AT THE ARMORY TODAY!

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

Renovations Continue at the Varnum Armory Museum!

April 24, 2016 By James Mitchell Varnum

Armory Curator Patrick Donovan and Varnum Continentals Treasurer Tim Jackson (along with other volunteers) have made great progress toward the renovation of the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum’s exhibit spaces.  There’s be demolition, new LED lighting for display cases, lining of display cases with unbleached linen, and overall painting.  Once that’s done, we will put down a new floor. The goal is to finish all of it before Memorial Day.

The renovation is taking place in a small part of the museum, so we’re still open for tours.
CLICK HERE TO TOUR THE ARMORY!

The hard work continues to update our Armory exhibit spaces.
An empty exhibit cabinet, ready for a makeover.
This is how we make room while we perform renovations.
A cleaned-out exhibit room.
A cleaned-out exhibit room.

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

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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

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