Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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[JAN. 8 DINNER MEETING] World War I and Rhode Island: The Centennial Remembered

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World War I "Doughboy"
World War I “Doughboy”

Our speaker this month is Matthew Baldwin McCoy, State Coordinator for the Rhode Island World War I Centennial Commission. Matt will share with us our state’s relationship to the national observance and the role the Ocean State played during the war. Rhode Island made a significant contribution, not only in its role as a major manufacturing resource for military supplies, but in terms of the men and women drafted in 1917 who trained at Camp Quonset in North Kingstown, RI, and at the Naval Station Newport, Newport, RI.

Matt will also speak about “Researching Your Doughboy,” sharing his personal journey researching one of the “doughboys” in his family tree, tracing the service and sacrifice of his great uncle, Army 1st Lt. George Baldwin McCoy, a member of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Division, in the American Expeditionary Force.

Matthew McCoy, a native of Washington, D.C., enlisted in the Navy in 1980 and served as an Operations Specialist, receiving his officer’s commission in 1993. In 2003, he joined Raytheon Integrated Defense Systems as a Principal Systems Engineer. Following Raytheon, he became associated with the Naval War College and currently supports the Hattendorf Center for Marine Historical Research. As State Coordinator for the World War I Centennial Commission, McCoy is involved in numerous activities commemorating our state’s role in the war. He is also serving as a National Aide-de-Camp to the Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Matt and his wife live in North Kingstown, RI.

Come early and view some of the outstanding World War I memorabilia assembled in the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.

Reservations for this dinner must be received by 5 pm Friday, January 5.

Call Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or email him at scott@ritemps.com.

TIME: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818.
FEE: $20 including dinner (steak tips, chicken Marsala, seasonal veggies, baked potato bar, salad, dessert and coffee)

[DEC 11 DINNER MEETING] Maureen Taylor on her book “The Last Muster: Images of the Revolutionary War Generation”

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Maureen Taylor
Maureen Taylor

Our December 11 Varnum Member Dinner Meeting will feature a discussion by the author of “The Last Muster”, a remarkable two-volume book (Amazon.com: Volume I || Volume II) by internationally known expert of photographic history, Maureen Taylor. Clients from around the world have sought her expertise in historic photograph identification, photo preservation, and family history research.

This publication is a remarkable collection of images of the Revolutionary War generation (more details at The Last Muster Project page). Photography was in its infancy in the early 19th century and a number of images of men who fought in the War of Independence were captured on daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and carte des visites paper. Maureen has assembled more than 100 of these historic treasures. Her pioneering work in historic photo research is unprecedented, evidenced by her success in solving photo mysteries. The author of several books, scholarly articles, and online columns, she has appeared on ABC’s The View and The Today Show on NBC. She has been featured in numerous publications including The Boston Globe, The New York Times, and Better Homes and Gardens. The Wall Street Journal has dubbed Maureen as “the nation’s foremost historical photo detective.”

The Last Muster (two volumes)
The Last Muster (two volumes)

She is a sought-after speaker at historical and genealogical societies, museums, conferences, libraries, and other organizations across the U.S. and in London and Canada. Are there still more photos of Revolutionary War veterans still out there? Could be. Don’t miss this unique program as Maureen shares with us anecdotes about her work as a photo detective.

Reservations must be received by 5:00 pm Friday, December 8. Call Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or email him at scott@ritemps.com.

TIME: 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 pm (dinner followed by program)
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818.
FEE: $20/person including dinner

[NOV 13 DINNER MEETING] Dr. Maury Klein on Sumpter, Secession, and the Election of Abraham Lincoln as the Last Major Event Leading to the U.S. Civil War

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U.S. Civil War historian Maury Klein
U.S. Civil War historian Maury Klein

On Monday, November 13, URI Professor Emeritus Maury Klein, a nationally-noted author and historian, will take us through the events preceding the 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln. The president’s arrival in the White House marked the climax of a decade-long struggle that threatened to tear the nation apart, setting in motion a chain of events that led to the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War in 1861. His talk will be taken from aspects of his 1997 book “Days of Defiance: Secession, Slavery and the Civil War.” Dr. Klein will look at the reasons why this most disastrous of outcomes was not and perhaps could not have been avoided.

Tennessee native Maury Klein earned his B.A. degree from Knox College in 1960 and his MA and PhD from Emory University. He joined the University of Rhode Island faculty in 1964 and remained there until his retirement in 2008. He was named a full professor of history in 1973. Dr. Klein states that, once deciding on a teaching career, he majored in history because it gave him the most freedom of subject matter in the classroom. Dr. Klein is the author of 18 books, articles in numerous magazines and scholarly journals, and contributions to blogs on a wide variety of subjects in American history. His published works range from military history to American business and the rail-road industry. Among his many awards is an Emmy for Best Writing for a Documentary entitled “Railroad Man: The Life and Legend of Jay Gould.” In 2011 he was inducted into the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame.

As always, your guests are welcome. Come early and see some of the new U.S. Civil War artifacts exhibited at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.

Reservations must be received by 5:00 pm Friday, November 10. Call Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or email him at scott@ritemps.com.

TIME: 5:30 pm (social hour); 6:30 pm (dinner followed by program)
MENU: Traditional turkey dinner, dessert and coffee.
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818.
FEE: $20/person including dinner

[MAY 8 DINNER MEETING] Abductions in the American Revolution: Christian McBurney speaks about his latest book

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Abductions in the American Revolution: Attempts to Kidnap George Washington, Benedict Arnold and Other Military and Civilian Leaders
“Abductions in the American Revolution” by Christian M. McBurney

At the Monday, May 8 Varnum Continentals Members’ Meeting, respected historian and author Christian McBurney will talk about his latest book, “Abductions in the American Revolution: Attempts to Kidnap George Washington, Benedict Arnold and Other Military and Civilian Leaders” (McFarland, 2016).

This book covers more than thirty major attempted and successful abductions of military and civilian leaders from 1775 to 1783, from Maine to Georgia, and including two in Great Britain. George Washington supported attempts to kidnap the British commander-in-chief (twice), Benedict Arnold (after he turned traitor), and Prince William Henry (a future king of Great Britain).  Washington in turn was targeted at his Morristown, New Jersey, winter headquarters in an attempt that could have succeeded. Other targets included Thomas Jefferson, Philip Schuyler, Charles Lee, and Richard Prescott.

Christian McBurney, independent historian
Christian M. McBurney, independent historian

Christian McBurney is an independent historian who has written several Revolutionary War books, three of them focusing on Rhode Island. He is an attorney in a Washington, D.C. law firm and resides in Kensington, Maryland. This will be Christian’s fourth presentation at the Varnum  Memorial Armory Museum.

Reservations must be received by 5:00 PM Friday, May 5.  Call Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or email him at scott@ritemps.com.

TIME: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
MENU: Steamship round and ham carving stations, twice-baked potatoes, vegetables,
salad, rolls & butter, dessert & coffee.
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818.
FEE: $20/person

Books by Christian M. McBurney

Christian M. McBurney is an independent historian who has written several books about the American Revolutionary War (several focusing on Rhode Island). He is an attorney in a Washington, D.C. law firm and resides in Kensington, Maryland. In addition, he is is the editor and publisher of the website “Small State, Big History,” the online review of Rhode Island History.

CoverTitle
The Rhode Island Campaign McBurney"The Rhode Island Campaign: The First French and American Operation in the Revolutionary War" by Christian M. McBurney
Abductions in the American Revolution Attempts to Kidnap George Washington, Benedict Arnold and Other Military and Civilian Leaders by Christian M McBurney"Kidnapping the Enemy: The Special Operations to Capture Generals Charles Lee and Richard Prescott" by Christian M. McBurney
"World War II Rhode Island" by Christian M. McBurney, Brian L Wallin, Patrick T Conley
"Abductions in the American Revolution: Attempts to Kidnap George Washington, Benedict Arnold and Other Military and Civilian Leaders" by Christian M. McBurney
"Untold Stories from World War II Rhode Island" by Christian M. McBurney, Norman Desmarais, Varoujan Karentz
"George Washington's Nemesis: The Outrageous Treason and Unfair Court-Martial of Major General Charles Lee during the Revolutionary War" by Christian M. McBurney
"Spies in Revolutionary Rhode Island" by Christian M McBurney

[APR. 10 DINNER MEETING] “My Poor Boys…ALL Are Gone!”: The First Rhode Island Cavalry in the Gettysburg Campaign

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Armory Vice President & Museum Curator Patrick DonovanAt the Varnum Members’ Meeting (on Monday, April 10, 2017), Varnum Memorial Armory Museum Curator Patrick Donovan tells the story of the First Rhode Island Cavalry and their important role in the Gettysburg Campaign of June 1863.

As Confederate General Robert E. Lee began to execute his daring plan to invade the North with his confident, battle-hardened Army of Northern Virginia, the First Rhode Island Cavalry were tasked with finding Lee’s 78,000 men to determine Lee’s intentions and ultimate objective.  Accomplishing this mission meant dueling with the legendary troopers of the famed Confederate Cavalry Chief, General J.E.B Stuart.  On June 17th, alone and behind enemy lines, 280 Rhode Islanders rode into Middleburg, VA led by their unique and controversial French Colonel only to face their final destiny.

Patrick Donovan will tell their harrowing story along with providing a brief history of the regiment and background of the Battle of Gettysburg. Original First RI Cavalry artifacts and items from this campaign will also be shared.

Reservations must be received by 5:00 PM Friday, April 7.  Call Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or email him at scott@ritemps.com.

TIME: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
MENU: “Steak Fry” including a premium steak with roasted potatoes and seasonal vegetables, salad, rolls & butter, coffee, and dessert.
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818.
FEE: $20/person

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

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