Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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You are here: Home / Archives for varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] T. Fred Brown’S Battery B 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery Cap

February 6, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

Wrapped in newspaper for about 140 years and kept on a dirt floor garage in Daytona, Florida, this American Civil War cap had bits of paper fused to the heat-melted cap visor. It was in pretty rough shape when it arrived at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.

This artifact was worn by T. Fred Brown of Battery B 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery during the U.S. Civil War. Our textile conservator, Maria Vazquez, has done extensive work to recover this piece from over a century of poor storage. We’re excited to put this on display when the restoration is completed.

  • Restoration of T. Fred Brown’S American Civil War cap
  • Restoration of T. Fred Brown’S American Civil War cap
  • Restoration of T. Fred Brown’S American Civil War cap

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: American Civil War, varnum memorial armory

Varnum Armory Launches Exhibit Space Expansion Project

January 3, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Memorial Armory Museum‘s exhibit space expansion project is underway! These are demolition images of some office spaces in the Armory that we will restore to its early 20th-century beauty and then fill with many historical artifacts. We plan to use this space for exhibits related to Cold War conflicts and the Global War on Terror, with a focus on Rhode Island’s role and impact.

We deeply appreciate the Champlin Foundation‘s support for this project.

Varnum Armory Office Restoration
Varnum Armory Office Restoration
Varnum Armory Office Restoration
Varnum Armory Office Restoration
Varnum Armory Office Restoration

Filed Under: Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Grand Army of the Republic Post 6 Guidon Reunited with a Former Commander

October 9, 2021 By James Mitchell Varnum

This Grand Army of the Republic Post 6 guidon has just been reunited with one of its former commanders, Lyman Aylesworth, at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. This American Civil War flag was acquired thanks to generous donations from our Facebook friends. Thank you! This guidon will be professionally conserved and mounted for display. Reno Post was located at the Kentish Guards Armory in East Greenwich, RI.

Interestingly, when we acquired this artifact via auction, we assumed that there was one flag in the plastic sleeve. It turns out that there were in fact two of these silk flags within the sleeve. As two-fer-one deals go, this worked out well for us!

U.S. Civil War Grand Army of the Republic Post 6 Guidon at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: American Civil War, flag, varnum memorial armory

Varnum Memorial Armory Museum featured in the Rhode Island PBS series “Treasures Inside the Museum”

September 17, 2021 By James Mitchell Varnum

This is a fantastic, inside look at the inner workings of the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum and the exhibits within. RI PBS did a fantastic job on this professional production. Also, kudos go out to all of the volunteer staff who work every day at the Armory to preserve Rhode Island military history. This episode is online now!

From RI PBS: “The Varnum Military Museum in East Greenwich is home to an extensive collection of rare military pieces dating back to the earliest days of the American Revolution. There is also a look at delicate textile conservation.”

Filed Under: Historic Preservation, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: varnum memorial armory

Varnum Memorial Armory Museum Update

September 8, 2021 By James Mitchell Varnum

Though August tends to be a slower, quieter month for the Varnum Continentals, there has been a lot going on in the background. Here’s a quick update.

Our Varnum Memorial Armory Museum museum expansion and renovation projects are in a holding pattern while we wait to hear about a critical grant that we have applied for. If successful – and I believe the odds are in our favor – we will more than double our museum exhibit space. With this expansion, we’ll have new, dedicated displays focused on Rhode Island’s participation in the Spanish American War, World War I, the Cold War, Vietnam, and the Global War on Terror. This expansion will involve taking various unused spaces and restoring them to their original early 1900s appearance while adding modern security and climate control systems.

I’d like to thank our many supporters who support our mission of preserving and sharing Rhode Island’s military history and heritage. We do this to promote patriotism and encourage service, service of all kinds to our state, country, and local communities. As an all-volunteer organization, we wholly depend on the generosity of the public. If you believe our history should be preserved, shared, and learned from, then we encourage you to donate today.

Filed Under: Historic Preservation, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: varnum memorial armory

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[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster

December 3, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

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.

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.

Recent Posts

  • [DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster
  • Varnum Armory Bathroom Renovation!
  • Watch the Varnum Armory on Rhode Island Wave!

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