Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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Union soldiers of the American Civil War walk among us at the Varnum Memorial Armory!

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Our preservation production team is putting the finishing touches on a custom dress form for a rare New Jersey American Civil War uniform. This dress form shows the infantryman in motion and highlights a wound from being shot through the thigh at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863.

Click here to see images from earlier in this process.

  • American Civil War Uniform Dress Form
  • American Civil War Uniform Dress Form
  • American Civil War Uniform Dress Form
  • American Civil War Uniform Dress Form
  • American Civil War Uniform Dress Form

Preservation in Action at the Varnum Memorial Armory!

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Here’s our preservation production team in action. They’re fabricating a custom dress form for a rare New Jersey American Civil War uniform that will show the infantryman in motion and highlight a wound from being shot through the thigh at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863.

The display will be amazing. We can’t wait to show it to you!

BOOK A TOUR!

Revolutionary War Commission Document belonging to James Mitchell Varnum

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James Mitchell Varnum
James Mitchell Varnum

This American Revolutionary War commission document at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum was presented to James Mitchell Varnum of East Greenwich, RI (Varnum House Museum) on May 10, 1779, naming him Major General of all Rhode Island Militia forces opposing the Crown troops of Britain. It is now properly framed and on display for the first time thanks to the generous donations made by our Facebook followers. Thank you!

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] George Byron Bennett’s Wool Undershirt from the American Civil War

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At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have the wool undershirt worn by East Greenwich-native Sergeant George Byron Bennett (of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry) in the last year of the American Civil War. It’s in amazing condition, and wear and staining reveals a lot about the soldier, his habits, and his day-to-day life.

Visible on the shirt are sweat, dirt, and urine stains. You can see that the shirt was worn tucked in (and that he wiped his hands on his stomach…). The urine stains appear at the bottom-center where it would be tucked in over his crotch.

  • Bennett’s wool undershirt
  • Button on Bennett’s wool undershirt
  • Closeup of Bennett’s wool undershirt
  • George Byron Bennett

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] American Civil War New Model Army revolver used by Sgt. George Byron Bennett

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At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have the .44-caliber New Model Army revolver that was carried by Sergeant George Byron Bennett (of the 1st Rhode Island Cavalry) in the last year or two of the American Civil War. It is marked with his initials.

The pistol was made by Eliphalet Remington & Sons in Ilion, NY, in 1863 or early 1864. Over 230,000 were made with many being purchased for military use (as the Colt M1860 revolver became hard to get due to massive fire at their factory in Hartford, CT). Cavalrymen were heavily armed, so Bennett also would have carried a sword and a breech-loading carbine.

  • Bennett’s .44-caliber New Model Army revolver
  • Bennett’s .44-caliber New Model Army revolver
  • Bennett’s .44-caliber New Model Army revolver
  • Bennett’s .44-caliber New Model Army revolver
  • Bennett’s .44-caliber New Model Army revolver
  • Bennett’s .44-caliber New Model Army revolver
  • Bennett’s .44-caliber New Model Army revolver
  • Bennett’s .44-caliber New Model Army revolver
  • Bennett’s .44-caliber New Model Army revolver
  • George Byron Bennett early in the American Civil War wearing his Federal regulation mounted services jacket.

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.

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