The Varnum Continentals are an active independent military organization of the Rhode Island militia that was founded in 1903 and currently serve primarily as a ceremonial honor guard and as historic educational organization in East Greenwich, Rhode Island.[1] The Warren Varnum Continentals operate the historic Varnum Memorial Armory, an armory museum at 6 Main Street in East Greenwich, which was built in 1913, and housed Rhode Island State and National Guard units from 1918 to 1996.[2] The Varnum Continentals were named after Revolutionary War General James Mitchell Varnum, a founder of the Kentish Guards, and the Continentals are dedicated to preserving Varnum's memory.
The Varnum Continentals were chartered in 1907 by a group of former Kentish Guards members to preserve the older traditions of the group, and the Continentals were reactivated in 1992 by Governor Bruce Sundlun.[3] The Varnum Continentals still remain part of the Rhode Island militia but serve a largely ceremonial role and educational role using period muskets and cannon for special events and maintain a large museum.[4]
References edit
- ^ "Varnum Continentals – The Rhode Island Historical Society". rihs.org. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
- ^ "The Historic Armories of Rhode Island". pawtuxetrangers.com. Retrieved 2022-01-10.
- ^ http://varnumcontinentals.org/about-the-varnum-continenals/ (accessed 1/10/22)
- ^ http://varnumcontinentals.org/about-the-varnum-continenals/ (accessed 1/10/22)