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.
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.
[MAR. 9 DINNER MEETING] Historian Robert Grandchamp Chronicles Rhode Island’s U.S. Civil War Dead
At out March meeting, Mr. Grandchamp will talk about his research and findings and tell the story of three Rhode Island men killed in action during the Civil War and whose military artifacts are in the Varnum Armory museum.
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!
[FEB. 10 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: Stanley Carpenter on “Crushing the Reich: Normandy to Berlin”
This year, 2020, marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Our February speaker, Stanley Carpenter, will focus on the key last year of the War in his presentation “Crushing the Reich: Normandy to Berlin, 1944-45.” In this timely talk, Carpenter will explain the strategy and include stories and interesting anecdotes about the Allies’ efforts to defeat Nazi Germany in the crucial last year of the war.
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.