1797 Arrest Warrant for “Failure to Parade”
Here we have a 1797 dated arrest warrant for East Greenwich resident, Thomas Howland, for not paying his fine and late fee ($2.22 total) for skipping out on parade duty as a member of the Kentish Guards!
Letter from General George Washington to General James Mitchell Varnum Finds a Home at the Varnum Memorial Armory
The Rhode Island State Society Children of the American Revolution and the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum partnered to research and transcribe a letter from General George Washington to General James Mitchell Varnum in October of 1777.
Springfield Rifle belonging to African American Civil War Veteran Isaac J. Winters
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we now have the Springfield rifle carried by African American, Isaac J. Winters, of Company F 43rd U.S. Colored Troops during the American Civil War. He fought heroically in — and survived despite being wounded — some of the War’s most horrific combat.
Prototype Gazda 20mm Cannon Shell from World War II
An Austrian Count and World War I ace, Antoine Gazda, moved to Rhode Island and lived in the Biltmore Hotel (Providence, RI) for all of World War II, where he was guarded 24 hours a day in secret as he developed an aircraft version of his 20mm cannon. This shell casing at the Varnum Memorial Amory Museum was the first round fired from his prototype.
[FEATURED GALLERY] Unpublished World War II images from the 76th Division Artillery
Here’s a special treat! At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have a photo album that belonged to a member of the 76th Division Artillery in World War II.
18th Century Period Garden in Full Bloom at the Varnum House Museum
Have you seen the Varnum House Museum’s period herb garden? This fantastic outdoor exhibit features 18th century flowers, plants, and herbs that were used for cooking, medicine, and cleaning, as well as dyes and paints. We also have a gorgeous rose garden! Each plant is labeled to let you know exactly how each herb was […]
[FEATURE EXHIBIT] 17th Century Fowler Birding Gun Restored by the Varnum Continentals
This ancient Fowler was purportedly carried by Thomas Gould of North Kingstown as he patrolled the beaches of Quidnesset watching for Tory and British ships during the American Revolutionary War. It is a conglomeration of early European parts and some crude American-made parts. This old flintlock birding gun dates from the late 1600s to early […]
Thomas W. Chace’s certificate of appreciation for service in the United Train of Artillery militia
This is East Greenwich resident Thomas W. Chace’s certificate of appreciation for his service in the United Train of Artillery militia as he took command of the 4th Brigade of the Rhode Island Militia in September 1872. The intricacy and workmanship is amazing! This item is on display at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.
Second Tintype of Rhode Island American Civil War Veteran
Amazingly, a second tintype of Lyman Aylesworth (1st Rhode Island Cavalry in the US Civil War) has been found; this time on horseback in the field with his saber drawn. This is a fantastic image even without the ID of Aylesworth. The frame is identical to the other tintype in our possession. A dealer had […]
Samuel Colt and His Legendary Model 1860 Army Revolver
Until the 19th century was well along, handguns were limited to single-shot weapons. In 1836, a 22-year old Hartford, Connecticut man, Samuel Colt, came up with a concept for controlled rotation of a firearm that would allow multiple rounds to be fired without reloading. Colt, the son of a textile manufacturer, developed a fascination for […]