1st Rhode Island Cavalry Artifacts & Guidon Flag

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!

Company L Guidon Flag from the First Rhode Island Cavalry in the US Civil War

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 […]

Civil War Guidon Flag gets Professional Framing

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. 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 […]

1st Rhode Island Cavalry Guidon Flag at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

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 […]

Renovations Continue at the Varnum Armory Museum!

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 […]

[APRIL 11 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker David Trimmer: Exploring the Titanic

The sinking of the steamship RMS Titanic has mesmerized and fascinated people for generations. What is it about this tragedy that has caught our collective imagination and interest from among the thousands of other tragedies that happened throughout history? Everyone knows the basics of the story of the Titanic, but how many know the many […]

[FEATURE EXHIBIT] Artillery Sponge/Rammer, and Worm for Civil War James Canon

We had a great time at the Baltimore Antique Arms Show!  Our collection now has a fantastic artillery sponge/rammer and worm for the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum‘s Civil War James gun. This set has its original paint and appears to have been actually used in the field to load and swab the bore of a […]