Varnum Memorial Armory Museum Now Open for Tours!
The Varnum Continentals continue to closely track the Covid-19 pandemic and follow requirements set by both CDC and the State of Rhode Island. At this time, we are open for tours at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! TOURS AT THE VARNUM MEMORIAL ARMORY MUSEUM With a limited relaxation of stay-at-home and social distancing measures, we’re […]
1975 National Guard Recruiting Poster featuring William H. Carney
We just found this amazing 1975 National Guard recruiting poster deep in our archives at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.
Carte de Visite of Major General Silas Casey
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have a period “carte de visite” of East Greenwich, RI, native, Major General Silas Casey, featured along with his actual autograph. Silas was a West Point graduate and a veteran of the Second Seminole War and Mexican-American War. He would go on to command men in battle during the American Civil War. He is buried at Casey Farm in Saunderstown, RI.
Cadet Charles Young: Third African American Graduate of West Point
The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum has a unique albumen photo of the West Point Class of 1877 with Cadet Charles Young, a true American hero. He was the third African American graduate of West Point. He was the first Black American U.S. National Park Superintendent, first military attache, first to achieve the rank of Colonel, and also was the highest-ranking African American officer in the regular Army at that time.
An Amazing Addition to the Jesse Whaley Collection!
Late in 2018, the family of East Greenwich, RI, native and World War I hero, Pvt. Jesse Whaley, chose the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum to be the caretaker of his uniforms and wartime personal effects (including a helmet and gas mask). A German grenade blinded Whaley at Battle of St. Mihiel in France on September 21, 1918.
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.
American Revolutionary War Pay Voucher signed by Hopkins, Greene, and Ward
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have an interesting American Revolutionary War period document featuring the autographs of three prominent Rhode Islanders including Esek Hopkins (first Commander in Chief of the US Navy), Governor William Greene Jr., and Samuel Ward Jr.
An Army in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
Growing up, how many of us played with toy soldiers? Some were metal. Many were green plastic. But all gave us hours of enjoyment as we fought mock battles on sandpiles and in the grass. Prominently displayed in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, however, is a collection of tiny soldiers representing a broad swath of history.
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 […]
VERY RARE 39-Star American Flag
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we now have a rare 39-star American flag, which was in use for … zero days.