Varnum Armory Bathroom Renovation!
Here are some before-and-after images of our newly renovated storage room and accessible bathroom at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. For those who remember the old “rustic” downstairs men’s bathroom, this is a pretty amazing transformation. We look forward to making this room a productive part of the armory museum again.
Watch the Varnum Armory on Rhode Island Wave!
Check out this long-form video interview with Patrick Donovan, curator/VP at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, by “Rhode Island Wave”.
Calligraphy Art of William Henry Pratt
This is an engraving from 1865 where a calligrapher cleverly shaded their penmanship to create a facsimile of Gilbert Stuart’s portrait of George Washington using the words of the U.S. Constitution.
Airman Stephen E. Roomes and the Air Force’s “Prime BEEF” Unit
Airman Stephen E. Roomes (left) of Providence, RI, was the first and only Black American to serve in the Air Force’s first “Prime BEEF” unit (Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force). This highly rapid deployment, special civil engineering unit was created to establish and maintain bases and airfields, as well as respond to chemical, biological, and radiological emergencies.
RI National Guard Tour the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we gave an in-depth tour for a group of new Rhode Island National Guard recruits as part of their Recruit Sustainment Program. They loved it! So did the officers present they want to make this a regular part of their program.
Varnum Continentals Contribute to RI Public School Curriculum
The Varnum Continentals will work with the RI Foundation, RI Historical Society, and the RI Black Heritage Society to introduce teachers to a new public school curriculum on the famed First Rhode Island Regiment of the Revolutionary War.
Watch “A STITCH IN TIME” filmed at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum
If you weren’t able to watch the PBS documentary “A Stitch in Time” on it’s original May 29 air date, we’ve got you covered! Follow the link to watch this fascinating half-hour documentary showing the journey of America’s oldest colonial militia flag, from the First Company of Bristol County Militia in the 1690s to the […]
General George S. Patton: Master of the Sword
In the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum collection, we have an outstanding representation of American and foreign saber evolution. Among them is the last American design: the M1913 Army model, designed and advocated by none other than General (at the time, Lieutenant) George S. Patton, Jr.
[APR. 11 DINNER MEETING] Varnum Trustee Brian L. Wallin speaking on “Jamestown and the Military”
Varnum Trustee Brian L. Wallin leads our return to monthly member meetings with a presentation on “Jamestown and the Military.” Incorporated in 1678, Jamestown has a long, diverse military history. From early colonial days into the 20th century, Jamestown has experienced occupation (and devastation) by the British during the American Revolution, as well as U.S. Civil War encampments, major coastal fortifications, highly classified military research and communications facilities, and even a pair of top-secret World War II German POW camps.
T. Fred Brown’S Battery B 1st Rhode Island Light Artillery Cap
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 […]