Battle Damage to the Gettysburg Gun of Battery B
Check out the visible battle damage on the right wheel of the Gettysburg Gun of Battery B (1st Rhode Island Light Artillery). The Gettysburg (and Bull Run) guns are installed at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! We can now see these incredible relics see other interesting details from their time in the American Civil War.
Gettysburg and Bull Run Cannons on Exhibit at the Varnum Armory
The Gettysburg and Bull Run guns are safely installed at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum! Thanks to the help of numerous volunteers, we can now see these incredible relics in in good lighting and be able to walk around them to see the extensive battle damage from their time in the American Civil War.
Varnums to Host “Gettysburg Gun” and the “Bull Run Gun” at the Armory
The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum is excited to announce that we will be temporary caretakers of two of Rhode Island’s most important military artifacts: the “Gettysburg Gun” (pictured) and the “Bull Run Gun”. These two American Civil War cannons represent incredible, emotional tales of Rhode Island heroism and sacrifice. We are developing all new interpretative signage to tell their epic stories. To complement the cannon exhibit, the Varnum Armory Museum collection includes several artifacts on display that are directly related to the guns and the pivotal battles they are named for.
[PHOTOS] Open House at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
On Sunday, July 23, the Varnum Continentals hosted an open house at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. It was great to see folks visit with us and take tours of our military museum (including several young history enthusiasts).
Uniform of Lance Cpl. Robert w. Cottenier
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have this uniform that was worn by Lance Cpl. Robert w. Cottenier, 21, of Warwick, RI. He was the son of Mildred (Landy) and Marcel Cottenier. He graduated from Veterans Memorial High School in 1966 and worked at Apex before joining the Marines. He was killed in action […]
Garment/Uniform Preservation at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
Some “new” garments and uniforms have arrived at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum for professional preservation. These include an 1863 contract New York National Guard jacket, an American Civil War medical service officers uniform, a very cool 71st Regiment New York State Militia canteen, and some leather gauntlets.
[MAY 8 VARNUM MEMBER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on “El Salvador: US participation in a Central American Civil War
In 1991, Greg Banner (a US Army Major at the time) was assigned as an advisor in El Salvador. The US had established an advisory team approximately 10 years prior to help that country fight a communist insurgency. Major Banner spent 15 months as the team leader for one of the several district teams living with and helping Salvadoran units fight their war. This presentation will provide some background to the war and then an overview of one soldier’s experiences there, up to and including the peace treaty which was signed at the end of his tour.
[APR. 10 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Blake Ruehrwein on Monuments Officers of the 21st Century
Join us on Monday, April 10 to hear about a new generation of the famed World War II Monuments Officers who are dedicated to protecting the world’s cultural heritage in areas of conflict.
[MAR. 20 DINNER MEETING] Maria Vazquez on Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor
On Monday, March 20, Varnum Armory Vice President Maria Vazquez is the featured speaker for our monthly members meeting. Her presentation, “A Brief History of Anchors and the Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor,” will give an account of the history of anchors, how they developed, and how they were used. The presentation will continue with Maria’s insight into the thought and research that went into conserving an anchor from the USS Constellation, a sloop-of-war ship.
[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster
In December 1917, a World War I ammunition ship blew up in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. This massive event was listed as the largest man-made explosion in human history prior to atomic weapons and totally devastated the city. Thousands died. Our December speaker, Varnum Member Greg Banner, will describe the background, event, response, and results and discuss aspects of military, nautical, local, and emergency response history.