Varnum Continentals

Preserving and Sharing Rhode Island History

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“The Value of American History” speech by Patrick Donovan, Varnum Armory Curator

April 8, 2019 By James Mitchell Varnum

Patrick Donovan, Varnum Memorial Armory Curator and Vice President
Patrick Donovan, Varnum Memorial Armory Curator and Vice President

This speech by Patrick Donovan was given to the Varnum Continentals membership during our monthly dinner meeting and speaker program on 8 April 2019.

I believe, the teaching and sharing of American history can help us come together as a country through the realization that we have a shared story of our national birth and development … a shared identity … an identity made up of both good and bad history. We shouldn’t shy away from the bad or try to cover it up. We should embrace it. We should square ourselves and look at it directly.

As Americans we can all look back on this past and feel gratitude and pride in how far we have come as a country. And we should remember that we are not those people who came before us …we might be descendants, but we are NOT … THEM, there’s no call to feel responsible or to feel shame … we are mere products of that past. And we shouldn’t overemphasize the negative.

I believe the arc of American history is a very positive one … constantly moving and bending further towards its ideals. Yes, there have been bad people, bad acts, and bad governments, but by and by, taken as a whole, we should feel a pride and love for the role our nation has played in the world. Without question, the greatest factor … the greatest driving force behind the massive improvement in the world’s standard of living and well being is liberty. And who is overwhelmingly responsible for liberty being spread around the world in our modern history of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries? Why the U.S., of course.

And, our military heritage is a big piece of that evolving history.

Military history can affect each and every one of us in positive ways on a very personal level. A few weeks ago, I gave a tour to a group of high school-aged special needs kids from the Warwick Transitions school. How do you talk about war and its implements to children, let alone special needs? It is a challenge. One kid in particular got very upset over the presence of a Nazi flag … “WHY?! That’s evil!” he exclaimed.

We ended up having a moving and emotional group discussion on “if war is terrible and ugly, why should we remember it and keep its artifacts?” The kids got it, I think…there was the obvious “remember the sacrifices of those who served” and “remember the past to avoid making the same mistakes” talk. But we also talked about how war history presents us with context and perspective to our own personal lives. When we feel down or anxious about our problems, its good to think what others have gone through and what they’ve faced in war. It helps us realize our troubles likely aren’t so bad.

History shows us we’re not alone. It acts as a guidepost … it shows us the way forward. It gives us hope that we, too, can persevere through whatever it is that faces us. War gives us incredible examples of courage and kindness. It gives us role models who have demonstrated the greatest of human virtues under the absolute worst circumstances possible. It’s easy to be kind and giving when times are good. It is good to reflect on a soldier’s ability to stand their ground and protect their buddies while scared to death under fire … this courage is something all of us should admire and aspire to have.

This tour for these special kids made me realize that preserving and sharing the past is not really about the past at all but is actually all about helping humanity’s future.

— Patrick Donovan
Curator & Vice President, Varnum Memorial Armory Museum

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

Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation

June 26, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

Statues in the Rhode Island State House honor various branches of the U.S. Military service. Each statue (purchased by the State in 1945) was meant to be flanked by a U.S. flag and a flag representing that branch of the military. Three of these flags were missing for many years; the Rhode Island Historic Military Commands (aka RI Militia) purchased flags to replace those missing and donated them to the state.

On Friday, June 22, representatives of most of the 11 historic units (including the Varnum Historic Military Command) — in uniforms of the American Revolutionary War and American Civil War eras — presented the flags to the State of Rhode Island.

Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.
Varnum Historic Military Command at the Rhode Island State House for flag presentation.

Filed Under: Varnum Continentals Marching Militia, Varnum Volunteers Tagged With: Varnum Historic Military Command, Varnum Membership, volunteer

Billy helps out at the Varnum Memorial Armory

April 30, 2018 By James Mitchell Varnum

At the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum, we really enjoy giving tours to different groups of special needs kids who are fascinated with military history.

Today, one of the Armory’s most ardent fans, Billy, visited with a friend and his mother to help us clean some artifacts. He’s very knowledgeable and taught me a lot today. Also, he was thrilled beyond belief to handle artifacts that he’s only read about and seen in movies.

Billy at the Varnum Memorial Armory
Billy at the Varnum Memorial Armory
Billy at the Varnum Memorial Armory

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

Varnum House Museum Yard Cleanup a Big Success!

April 16, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

Yard clean up at the Varnum House Museum.
Yard clean up at the Varnum House Museum.

We’d like to thank all the volunteers who came to the Varnum House Museum on April 15, 2017 to help us clean up the grounds and yard perimeter.  Between Varnum volunteers and the community service volunteers from CCRI last weekend, the house grounds are really starting to come together!

There was lots of work to be done including the cleaning of leaves and yard debris, pruning bushes, limbing up trees, and a lot more. Pitching in to help maintain our historic properties is just one of the rewarding activities that come with Varnum Continentals membership.

If you’d like to help out as well, just click here to join the Varnum Continentals.

Yard clean up at the Varnum House Museum.
Yard clean up at the Varnum House Museum.
Yard clean up at the Varnum House Museum.
Yard clean up at the Varnum House Museum.

Filed Under: Varnum House Museum Tagged With: james mitchell varnum, varnum house museum, volunteer

Varnum House Museum Announces Tour Hours for 2017 Season!

April 7, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

Varnum House Docents prepared for a school tour.
Varnum House Docents

We’re pleased to announce that the Varnum House Museum will be open for the 2017 tour season in June, July, and August on Saturdays and Sundays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM.  Tours include a dynamic program featuring costumed interpreters leading our guests through this house museum’s rich history.  Contact the Varnum House Museum by calling 401-884-1776 or email house@varnumcontinentals.org.

A Mansion Built by General James Mitchell Varnum

The Varnum House Museum in East Greenwich, RI.

It was 1773 when James Mitchell Varnum purchased a large plot of land overlooking Greenwich Bay in East Greenwich, RI, for the sum of $90. Varnum, a gifted 24 year-old lawyer, did not buy the property solely for the view, but also because it sat behind the Kent County Courthouse (now East Greenwich Town Hall) where the most powerful and influential colonial leaders frequently met. As a prominent figure in the Revolutionary War and early-American politics, Varnum attracted a “who’s who” of guests to his mansion including George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, Rochambeau, John Sullivan, Nathanael Greene, and many others.

Pianoforte made by William Frecker of London
18th-century pianoforte by William Frecker of London

Varnum House Museum Architecture

Constructed by master builder John Reynolds, the house was built in keeping with the best architectural standards of the late 18th century. This Georgian-styled mansion has a hipped roof, modillioned cornices, heavily-moulded caps, and a central pedimented doorway with columned porch. The Varnum House Museum is on the National Register of Historic Places.

 

 

A young docent at the Varnum House Museum.
Docents on duty at the Varnun House Museum
Docents on duty at the Varnun House Museum
Varnum House docents.

Filed Under: Varnum House Museum Tagged With: 18th century, George Washington, james mitchell varnum, revolutionary war, varnum house museum, volunteer

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[MAR. 20 DINNER MEETING] Maria Vazquez on Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor

March 5, 2023 By James Mitchell Varnum

On Monday, March 20, Varnum Armory Vice President Maria Vazquez is the featured speaker for our monthly members meeting. Her presentation, “A Brief History of Anchors and the Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor,” will give an account of the history of anchors, how they developed, and how they were used. The presentation will continue with Maria’s insight into the thought and research that went into conserving an anchor from the USS Constellation, a sloop-of-war ship.

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

  • [MAR. 20 DINNER MEETING] Maria Vazquez on Conservation of the USS Constellation Anchor
  • [DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster
  • Varnum Armory Bathroom Renovation!

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