Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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[SEPTEMBER 12 DINNER MEETING] Howard Vernon Allen, Community Leader and Legend

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Howard Vernon Allen
Howard Vernon Allen

This month, as we approach the 110th anniversary year of the founding of the Varnum Continentals, trustee Brian Wallin takes us back in time to meet one of the founders of our organization and its longtime commander, H.V. Allen.

Howard Vernon Allen was descended from one of Rhode Island’s founding families, and Brian will share a few of their stories to demonstrate the commitment to patriotism and good citizenship that was a hallmark of H.V.’s long and productive life.  From his early days as a young bank clerk to his extensive involvement in community organizations and patriotic initiatives, we’ll hear some of the backstory of life in early 20th century East Greenwich through Howard Allen’s experiences.

Varnum Memorial Armory Vice President and Museum Curator Patrick Donovan has assembled some artifacts associated with H.V.’s role in the Continentals and will have them display. If you are new to our fellowship and are interested in learning about one of our founding fathers or if you would just like to take a brief trip  down memory lane through images and anecdotes, then don’t miss this special presentation.

About the speaker: Brian Wallin, whose career was split between work as a television journalist and then as a hospital administrator, writes our monthly Varnum newsletter history column. He is also a  contributing author to the online journal of RI History, www.smallstatebighistory.com. He is the co-author of a new book on the Rhode Island homefront during World War II, which will be published next spring.

TIME: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
MENU: Surf & Turf! Filet Mignon with baked stuffed shrimp, corn on the cob, salad, rolls and butter, dessert, and coffee.
LOCATION: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI, 02818.
FEE: $20/person

Reservations must be received by 5:00 PM on Friday, September 9. Call Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or email scott@ritemps.com.

[JUNE 13 DINNER MEETING] Cookout at the Varnum House Museum

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Varnum House Museum Period Herb Garden
Varnum House Museum Period Herb Garden

The June Varnum members’ meeting will be held on the grounds of the Varnum House Museum on Monday, June 13, 2016. It’s a chance to kick back, enjoy the gardens, and tour the historic 1773 Varnum House. Burgers, hot dogs, BBQ grilled chicken and all the staples of a summer cook-out will be served, plus a choice of beverages.  As always, your guests are welcome. The event will go on rain or shine – we’ll have tents.

Also at the June meeting …

Martin Denny-Brown
Martin Denny-Brown

COL Martin Denny-Brown Retires

Varnum’s Regiment, RIM, will recognize the retirement of one of our Past Commanders, COL Martin Denny-Brown. Martin served in the US Army; he enlisted in Varnum’s Regiment in 1985 and has been an active member and leader of the militia and Varnum organization since Day 1. Martin served on the Executive Committee, was a Varnum trustee, and headed the Property Committee. Please join us in celebrating his service and retirement.

Tour the Varnum House

Varnum House Docents prepared for a school tour.
Varnum House Docents

The Varnum House has recently undergone extensive renewal under the leadership of House VP Barbara Weaver and a numerous volunteers. At the June meeting, Varnum House Museum docents, in colonial dress, will lead tours of Varnum’s Home. This is a great chance to see the Museum before it opens its doors to the public on June 18.

Time: 5:30 – 8 pm
Place: Varnum House Museum, 57 Peirce Street, East Greenwich
Fee: $10 (soft drinks, beer, and wine included)

Please RSVP by Friday, June 10, to Scott Seaback at 401-413-6277 or by email to scott@ritemps.com.

PLEASE NOTE: This will be our last meeting until September (no members’ meetings in July and August).

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

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RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912, after colliding with an iceberg during her maiden voyage.
RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912, after colliding with an iceberg during her maiden voyage.

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 compelling “stories behind the story?”

At our April 11 dinner meeting, the Varnum Continentals will feature a presentation by our very own David Trimmer.  He will not only tell the story with which we are all familiar, but will bring to life many of the fascinating stories and little-known facts that led up to and followed the great tragedy.

David Trimmer is a third-generation Varnum member and a lifetime Rhode Island resident. He has spent nearly 30 years researching the Titanic and is happy to share his findings with us.
David Trimmer has spent nearly 30 years researching the Titanic and is happy to share his findings with us.

David Trimmer is a third-generation Varnum Continentals member and a lifetime Rhode Island resident. He has spent nearly 30 years researching the Titanic and is happy to share his findings with us.

DATE: Monday, April 11, 2016
TIME: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
PLACE: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, 6 Main St., E. Greenwich, RI.
MENU: Prime Rib Dinner, oven-roasted potatoes, pasta, salad, and veggies.  Coffee and a special dessert
FEE: $15/person

RSVP by FRIDAY, APRIL 8, to Scott Seaback at 401/413-6277 or by email scott@ritemps.com.

[JANUARY DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: John McNiff, Roger Williams National Memorial

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John McNiff, a Ranger with the National Park Service at the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence
John McNiff, a Ranger with the National Park Service at the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence

The Varnum Continentals welcome John McNiff, a Ranger with the National Park Service at the Roger Williams National Memorial in Providence, as our guest speaker at the January Varnum Members Meeting on Monday, January 11, 2016.  This dinner is open to Varnum Members and their guests, and is held at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum at 6 Main St, East Greenwich, RI.

Mr. McNiff has created and presented numerous programs and lectures about Roger Williams, co-founder founder of the Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations and early proponent of religious freedom. He has consulted, worked on, and appeared in several films about the Colonial period, with a special focus on the early Colonial history of Rhode Island. Here’s a sample from YouTube!

John McNiff is a Rhode Island native. Raised in Warwick, he attended Rhode Island College and received his BA in History with a minor in Anthropology in 1979. After studying archaeology in England and working on numerous archaeological projects throughout New England, he received his MA in Anthropology, specializing in archaeology, in 1990 from SUNY Binghamton. In 1996 John began working with the National Park Service and in 1997 was stationed as a Park Ranger at the Roger Williams National Memorial on North Main Street in Providence.

Please RSVP by FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, to Scott Seaback at 401/413-6277 or by email at scott@ritemps.com.

Meeting Date: Monday, January 11
Time: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
Location: Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
Dinner Menu: Italian Buffet
Fee: $15/person

OCTOBER GUEST SPEAKER: John W. Kennedy, Director of Museum Education Naval War College Museum

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John W. Kennedy, Director - Naval War College Museum
John W. Kennedy, Director – Naval War College Museum

The Varnum Continentals welcome John W. Kennedy, Director of Museum Education Naval War College Museum, as the guest speaker at our October dinner and annual meeting at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum on Monday, October 19, 2015.  This event is open to Varnum Continental Members and their guests only (join the Varnum Continentals here).

Kennedy entered Aviation Officer Candidate School in Pensacola, and was commissioned in 1974. Following designation as a Naval Flight Officer, he joined his first squadron, VP-04, in May of 1975.

Throughout his 20-year career, Kennedy served in a variety of antisubmarine warfare billets in patrol squadron tours, in the USS Constellation (CV-64) as a Tactical Action Officer, with the Personnel Exchange Program (PEP) with the Royal Air Force, to Wing operations. At the Center for Naval Warfare Studies at the Naval War College, he conducted research in support of Pentagon and Fleet Commanders’ tasking. His final assignment prior to retirement was as Exec. Assistant to the Director, Naval Command College.

Following retirement, Kennedy taught at the high school level before going into. He earned an MA in Counseling and an MS in Labor and Industrial Relations. He began work at the Naval War College Museum as the Director of Museum Education and Community Outreach in 2008.

Naval War College Museum (Founder Hall)
Naval War College Museum (Founder Hall)

The Naval War College Museum collects, preserves, and exhibits artifacts and documents dating from the 1500s to the present day to interpret the naval history of Narragansett Bay and the Naval War College as well as the history of naval strategy.

ANNUAL MEETING: The October meeting is also the Annual Meeting for the Varnum Continentals, in accordance with our by-laws. Nominees for office and open trustee positions will be presented and voted upon.

Please RSVP by FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, to Scott Seaback at 401/413-6277 or by email at scott@ritemps.com.

Meeting Date: Monday, October 19
Time: 5:30 p.m. (social hour); 6:30 p.m. (dinner followed by program)
Fee: $15/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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