Varnum House Museum

01/13/2025

HAVE YOU READ HISTORY OF THE VARNUM CONTINENTALS?
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The Varnum Continentals are named in honor of Major General James Mitchell Varnum, commander of one of George Washington’s Continental Army Brigades in the Revolutionary War. Varnum was later named Major General of the entire Rhode Island Militia, a predecessor of today’s State Adjutant General.

http://bit.ly/2tjPyb1

01/12/2025

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] The Varnum House Museum’s Mystery Musket
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For as long as anyone can remember ... indeed, for many decades ... this once rusty, broken down, and nearly forgotten flintlock sat in a corner of the Varnum House Museum’s Keeping Room near the kitchen hearth. This article details the painstaking restoration of this musket by Varnum Members Russ Malcolm and Mike Bennett. Read the rest of this fascinating story!

For as long as anyone can remember, this nearly forgotten flintlock sat in a corner of the Varnum House Museum’s Keeping Room over the kitchen hearth. The brass trigger guard with its simple, hand-engraved symbols had come loose from the stock. The brass ram rod pipes were loose or had fallen out ...

01/11/2025

HOW MUCH DO KNOW ABOUT GENERAL JAMES MITCHELL VARNUM?
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Born in Dracut, Massachusetts on December 17, 1748, James Mitchell Varnum was a descendant of Samuel Varnum who came to the Massachusetts colony in 1635. During his short lifetime, he gained an exceptional reputation as a lawyer, jurist, and military officer. As a young man, he first attended Harvard and then transferred his studies to the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations (later to be known as Brown University) where he graduated in 1769 at the age of 20. In Rhode Island, he met and married Martha Child and started his career as an attorney. Varnum also had an early interest in military affairs and on settling in East Greenwich in the home he built on Pierce Street, became a member (and then first commander) of the Kentish Guards militia also serving with Nathanael Greene.

Born in Dracut, Massachusetts on December 17, 1748, James Mitchell Varnum was a descendant of Samuel Varnum who came to the Massachusetts colony in 1635. During his short lifetime, he gained an exceptional reputation as a lawyer, jurist, and military officer. As a young man, he first attended Harvar...

01/11/2025

[FEATURE ARTICLE] James Mitchell Varnum and the 1st Rhode Island Regiment (“Black Regiment”)
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For the benefit of our new members and as a refresher for all Varnum members, let's take a look at one aspect of the General's illustrious career: the evolution of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, which became known as Varnum’s Continentals and from which we take our name as a historic state militia.

Let’s take a look at one aspect of the General James Mitchell Varnum‘s illustrious career: the evolution of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment (LINK 1 :: LINK 2), which became known as Varnum’s Continentals and from which we take our name as a historic state militia. The first shots of the American...

01/09/2025

[FEATURE ARTICLE] The Final Resting Place of a Hero of the American Revolution: Col. Israel Angell
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This month marks the 99th anniversary of a special honor paid to a hero of the American Revolution, Rhode Island’s own Israel Angell. It was on Saturday, May 4, 1918 that the Rhode Island Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (RISSAR) dedicated the relocated graves of Angell and his first wife. The Society had transferred the Angells’ remains a few weeks earlier from their original resting place in Johnston, RI.

Israel Angell was born in Providence on August 24, 1740, the great-grandson of Thomas Angell one of the five men who, with Roger Williams settled Rhode Island in 1636. Israel enjoyed a good education for the period (his mother had been a teacher). He had a special interest in natural history and sci...

01/09/2025

[FEATURE ARTICLE] A Civil War Angel of Mercy: Katherine Prescott Wormeley
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This article looks at Katherine Prescott Wormeley who, although from a well-to-do and refined background, threw herself totally into a highly successful role as the Lady Superintendent of Portsmouth Grove Hospital in Portsmouth, RI, during the American Civil War.

This article looks at Katherine Prescott Wormeley who, although from a well-to-do and refined background, threw herself totally into a highly successful role as the Lady Superintendent of Portsmouth Grove Hospital in Portsmouth, RI, during the American Civil War.

01/08/2025

[FEATURE ARTICLE] Another Look at Varnum’s 1st Rhode Island Regiment
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February is Black History Month, an opportunity to take a brief look at an important aspect of General James Mitchell Varnum’s illustrious career: the inclusion of men of color into the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, known as Varnum’s Continentals and from which we take our name and heritage as a historic state militia. CLICK THE LINK TO READ MORE!

February is Black History Month, an opportunity to take a brief look at an important aspect of General James Mitchell Varnum’s illustrious career: the inclusion of men of color into the 1st Rhode Island Regiment, known as Varnum’s Continentals and from which we take our name and heritage as a hi...

01/06/2025

JOIN THE VARNUM CONTINENTALS MARCHING MILITIA!
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The Varnum Continentals Marching Militia comprises some of our hardest-working and proactive members who travel New England (and sometimes beyond.) to march in uniform or participate in special programs and ceremonies. Very often, members of our historical marching militia are the Varnum Continentals’ public face and interact with the public on regular basis to promote patriotism and pride in U.S. history. Also, they have loads of fun marching in our distinctive 18th century historical uniforms and carrying period arms!

Varnum’s Historic Regiment comprises some of our hardest-working and proactive members who travel New England (and sometimes beyond.) to march in uniform or participate in special programs and ceremonies. Very often, members of our historic militial unit are the Varnum Continentals’ public face ...