Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island Military History to Inpire and Educate the Public.

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You are here: Home / Archives for varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Calligraphy Art of William Henry Pratt

August 21, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

We’ve walked past this artwork at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum for years without giving it much thought (believing it was 1990s computer-generated dot art). Boy, were we wrong…

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. Here is a description of one in the collection at Mt. Vernon:

“During the 19th century, America’s founding documents – the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence – inspired numerous artists and publishers to produce decorative versions, suitable for framing and display. In this calligraphy portrait, the artist has cleverly shaded the words of the Constitution and amendments, so that George Washington’s face emerges from the text.

Washington’s likeness is based on Gilbert Stuart’s popular ‘Athenaeum’ portrait, originally painted in 1796 and widely copied in paintings, prints, textiles, china, and the dollar bill. Washington’s name also appears, as a signer, at the center edge of his coat collar, about half-way down the white cravat.

The text ends with the 13th amendment’s prohibition of slavery, suggesting a creation date shortly after 1865, but before the passage of the 14th amendment in mid-1866 or its ratification in 1868. Notably, Washington’s portrait did not make its first debut on the dollar bill until 1869.

The artist, William Henry Pratt (1822-1893), was a professor of penmanship in Davenport, Iowa, and the first curator of that city’s Academy of Natural Sciences. He collaborated with the Davenport lithography firm of August Hageboeck on at least three other calligraphy portraits: Abraham Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation, Washington and the Declaration of Independence, and Ulysses Grant and the Republican Party platform of 1868.”

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Pratt Calligraphy Art of Washington
Pratt Calligraphy Art of Washington
Pratt Calligraphy Art of Washington
Pratt Calligraphy Art of Washington
Pratt Calligraphy Art of Washington
Pratt Calligraphy Art of Washington

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, museum exhibit, varnum memorial armory

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Airman Stephen E. Roomes and the Air Force’s “Prime BEEF” Unit

August 21, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

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.

Stephen served in the Korean War as well as Vietnam War. He and his son, Jason, are direct descendants of Caesar Roomes who had been freed from enslavement to serve in the 1st Rhode Island “Black” Regiment during the American Revolutionary War.

A collection of Stephen’s things will go on display soon at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum in a new Cold War exhibit.

BOOK A TOUR AT THE VARNUM MEMORIAL ARMORY MUSEUM!

Airman Stephen E. Roomes
Airman Stephen E. Roomes
Airman Stephen E. Roomes

Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum House Museum Tagged With: black history, korean war, revolutionary war, varnum memorial armory, vietnam war

RI National Guard Tour the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

July 17, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

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.

They expressed how important it is to learn how their military heritage builds toward a sense of inclusion, teamwork, and esprit de corps. We are proud to support these future American soldiers.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK A TOUR!

Filed Under: Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: national guard, varnum memorial armory

Varnum Continentals Contribute to RI Public School Curriculum

June 11, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum Continentals are excited to work with the Rhode Island Foundation, Rhode Island Historical Society, and the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society to introduce teachers to a new public school curriculum on the famed First Rhode Island Regiment of the Revolutionary War. Artifacts from the Varnum Armory Museum are a part of the program.

1st Rhode Island Regiment Soldier
Presentation on the New Curriculum
Presentation on the New Curriculum.

Filed Under: Historic Preservation, Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: museum exhibit, revolutionary war, varnum memorial armory

Watch “A STITCH IN TIME” filmed at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

June 4, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

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 present day, as it undergoes delicate conservation at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum under the eye of an expert textile conservator.

Watch the full documentary here:

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

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[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon

September 19, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

It took some work at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, but the Bull Run cannon’s gun tube is finally free of packed trash. We tried compressed air and plumbing augers, but what worked (with a lot of effort) was an American Civil War-period artillery worm! An unconventional use of an historic artifact, perhaps, but it got the job done.

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

  • [FEATURED EXHIBIT] Unpacking the U.S. Civil War Bull Run Cannon
  • [FEATURED EXHIBIT] Bullet-Struck World War II Helmet
  • [PRESERVATION] Rhode Island Regiment Flag of 1781

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