Cold War Memorabilia: Signature of Soviet Spy John A. Walker
The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum has acquired a rare piece of Cold War memorabilia. Here’s the signature of the Soviet spy, John A. Walker, who sold U.S. Navy secrets for 18 years in one of the most damaging espionage cases of the Cold War.
[CANCELLED] Naval War College Museum and Varnum Armory Special Lecture, “The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” with Commander Hugh J. Doyle, USN
On Sunday, March 29, the Naval War College Museum and Varnum Memorial Armory Museum will hold a special program in honor of 2020 Vietnam War Veterans Day. The event will be hosted at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818. A showing of the documentary, “The Lucky Few: The Story of the USS Kirk” will begin at 3:00 PM and will be followed by a question and answer session with CDR Hugh J. Doyle, USN (Ret.), former Chief Engineer of the USS Kirk during the Fall of Saigon.
Who Carried the British Grenadier Sergeant’s Carbine in our Varnum Armory Collection?
In a rack atop the 19th-century, glass-front bookcase in the Varnum Commander’s Office is a rare English Carbine, a scaled-down version of the British Land Pattern Musket, commonly known as the “Brown Bess”. From 1722 to 1838, the British Army used the Land Pattern worldwide and some were used by colonists as well.
Burnside Memorial Flags Update: Findings of National Interest
Here’s the update you’ve been waiting for! Several weeks ago, we moved six historic, hand-painted silk flags from the Burnside Building (Bristol, RI), to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum for evaluation and conservation. We’ve painstakingly unfurled the flags and what we’ve found is truly amazing!
Please click through to read more and see some incredible images of these historic and rare flags!
American Civil War Flag Restoration Project
We now have six historic, hand-painted silk flags from the Burnside Memorial Building in Bristol, RI, that have been transferred to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum for evaluation and conservation.
Large-Caliber Sporting Rifle (circa 1800)
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have a beautiful large-caliber sporting rifle. This rifle was made circa 1800 and used to bring down North America’s largest game. “Henry Perkins Hartland VT” is inscribed into the gun. Though it’s not a military-grade gun, it has been in our collection since 1932.
Model 1816 flintlock in .69 caliber
Here’s a close-up look at the lock from an 1833-dated Model 1816 flintlock in .69 caliber.
Frank Quagan’s rendition of “Varnum’s Black Regiment”
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have artist Frank Quagan’s rendition of “Varnum’s Black Regiment”, the integrated 1st Rhode Island Regiment formed during the American Revolutionary War.
16th-Century Swiss Halberd from the Revolutionary War
This European halberd at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum dates from the 15th or 16th century. A halberd is a type of polearm used in combat to repel mounted cavalry charges and signal or direct troops.
Model 1816 Springfield Musket from the American Civil War
This is a Model 1816 Springfield musket converted from flint to percussion. It was a common firearm in the first half of the American Civil War. The stock inspector cartouche is still visible.