[FEB. 10 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: Stanley Carpenter on “Crushing the Reich: Normandy to Berlin”
This year, 2020, marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Our February speaker, Stanley Carpenter, will focus on the key last year of the War in his presentation “Crushing the Reich: Normandy to Berlin, 1944-45.” In this timely talk, Carpenter will explain the strategy and include stories and interesting anecdotes about the Allies’ efforts to defeat Nazi Germany in the crucial last year of the war.
Model 1816 flintlock in .69 caliber
Here’s a close-up look at the lock from an 1833-dated Model 1816 flintlock in .69 caliber.
Frank Quagan’s rendition of “Varnum’s Black Regiment”
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have artist Frank Quagan’s rendition of “Varnum’s Black Regiment”, the integrated 1st Rhode Island Regiment formed during the American Revolutionary War.
Model 1816 Springfield Musket from the American Civil War
This is a Model 1816 Springfield musket converted from flint to percussion. It was a common firearm in the first half of the American Civil War. The stock inspector cartouche is still visible.
1797 Arrest Warrant for “Failure to Parade”
Here we have a 1797 dated arrest warrant for East Greenwich resident, Thomas Howland, for not paying his fine and late fee ($2.22 total) for skipping out on parade duty as a member of the Kentish Guards!
[DEC. 9 DINNER MEETING] Guest Speaker: Christian McBurney on “Untold Stories of World War II Rhode Island”
Christian McBurney returns to the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum to speak about his newly-released book, “Untold Stories from World War II Rhode Island”. This is a sequel to the 2017 book (“World War II Rhode Island”) that he co-authored with the Varnum Continental’s own Brian Wallin. The new publication shares long-forgotten stories, from amazing secret […]
LIFE. LIBERTY. BEER. 10th Annual Craft Beer Tasting Fundraiser (Nov. 23, 2019)
Varnum Annual Craft Beer Tasting Fundraiser Slated for Saturday, November 23 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum.
Springfield Rifle belonging to African American Civil War Veteran Isaac J. Winters
At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we now have the Springfield rifle carried by African American, Isaac J. Winters, of Company F 43rd U.S. Colored Troops during the American Civil War. He fought heroically in — and survived despite being wounded — some of the War’s most horrific combat.
Prototype Gazda 20mm Cannon Shell from World War II
An Austrian Count and World War I ace, Antoine Gazda, moved to Rhode Island and lived in the Biltmore Hotel (Providence, RI) for all of World War II, where he was guarded 24 hours a day in secret as he developed an aircraft version of his 20mm cannon. This shell casing at the Varnum Memorial Amory Museum was the first round fired from his prototype.
[FEATURED GALLERY] Unpublished World War II images from the 76th Division Artillery
Here’s a special treat! At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we have a photo album that belonged to a member of the 76th Division Artillery in World War II.