Varnum Armory curator to join the Rhode Island State Battle Flag Conservation Project Committee
The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum‘s curator, Patrick Donovan, will join the Rhode Island State Battle Flag Conservation Project Committee. The State of Rhode Island has 80 incredibly historic battle flags dating from the Revolutionary War, Civil War, Spanish American War, and World War I. Unfortunately those flags were improperly displayed for many decades. Resources have […]
Remnant From the First British Revolutionary War Flag taken from the English by the American Colonists
Every so often we still find incredible bits of U.S. history tucked away in a corner at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. This framed note with a tiny bit of fabric is the latest. After transcribing the note and some Googling, we discovered that it is a remnant from the first British Revolutionary War flag […]
[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
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 […]
[OCT 16 ANNUAL MEETING] Author/Historian Robert A. Geake on “From Slave to Soldier”
The Monday, October 16 members’ meeting is also the Varnum Continental’s Annual Meeting, and it’s only fitting that we look back at one of the significant accomplishments of the man whose name our organization bears: Rhode Island General James Mitchell Varnum. In the winter of 1777, facing a shortage of troops, General Varnum made the […]
[SEPT 11 DINNER MEETING] Author/historian Paul F. Caranci on his book “Wired”
September’s speaker, Paul F. Caranci (Website || Amazon) Rhode Island’s former Deputy Secretary of State (2007-2015) and North Providence town councilman (1994-2011) has dedicated his life to public service, history, and writing. He is the author of seven published books (with an 8th upcoming), and numerous magazine and online articles. He last spoke at a […]
One-pounder shell recovered from the USS Maine
The USS Maine (sent to Cuba “to protect US interests” during the Cuban revolt against Spain) mysteriously exploded on the evening of February 15, 1898. Navy divers were sent to investigate and determined that the cause was a mine. “Remember the Maine” became the rallying cry that helped get the US into a war with […]
Japanese spy photos of US Navy ships taken before the attack on Pearl Harbor
Here’s a unique exhibit at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum: Japanese spy photos of US Navy ships taken before the attack on Pearl Harbor. One of the pictures is of the USS Arizona, which was sunk during the sneak attack on December 7th, 1941. The ship lies submerged in the harbor today and is the […]
Daguerreotype of Private Cyrus H. Brackett, 1st Rhode Island Cavalry
This photograph at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum shows Private Cyrus H. Brackett. Born in Acton, Maine, 20-year-old Cyrus Brackett enlisted in the First New England Cavalry as a resident of Dover, NH on October 12th 1861. He was mustered into Co. K on October 24th. Comprised of one battalion of New Hampshire men and […]
Bartending Benefit at the Hill & Harbor Cigar Lounge
— Tuesday, September 19 (6 PM – 9 PM) — Join us for a Guest Bartending Benefit at the Hill & Harbor Cigar Lounge, 564 Main St., East Greenwich, RI (401-885-0111). It’ll be a great night of fun benefiting the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum and the Varnum Continentals. Featuring guest bartenders Carmino DeMaio, Jason Burke, […]
Varnum Armory’s 1903 field gun now on loan to the Benefit Street State Arsenal Museum
The Varnum Continentals’ Rhode Island National Guard-issued 1903 field gun and limber has been moved to the Benefit Street Arsenal (BSA) Museum as part of a 2-year loan deal between the two organizations. This incredible piece of early 20th-century artillery (with its original paint and patina) will be on display in their main hall. The […]