East Greenwich is moving forward with a permanent bronze memorial to honor the first Black regiment raised in the United States. The life size work will stand in front of the Varnum Armory on Main Street once complete. Town leaders formally agreed to accept the statue as a public gift after review at a June 9 meeting.
The project comes from a community group tied to local and statewide history organizations. Members say the memorial will recognize men whose courage helped change both the war and the promise of freedom. They also say the tribute will raise the town profile for heritage travel.
Black and Indigenous Soldiers Organized in East Greenwich 1778
During the summer of 1778 General James Mitchell Varnum faced a severe troop shortage in the fight against the British. He urged General George Washington to allow recruitment of enslaved men despite earlier opposition. Washington gave approval and Varnum officers began recruiting Black and Indigenous men.
The men gathered trained and were garrisoned in East Greenwich. They formed what historians widely cite as the first Black regiment in the nation. Varnum needed these new troops to reinforce forces pushing British units out of Newport.
Service for Freedom Promised at War End
Enslaved men who entered the regiment were promised freedom when their service ended with the war. That offer drew men who risked everything for a chance at liberty. Families also weighed the danger against the hope of new status after independence.
Local officials say this moment marked an early lawful path out of bondage though motives were not pure generosity. Military need drove the decision yet the result opened lives. The planned memorial aims to keep that hard truth visible.
Community Gift Will Stand at Varnum Armory
The East Greenwich Historic Preservation Society and partners will fund and gift the statue to the town. The Varnum Continentals agreed to provide an easement so the work can stand at the armory entrance. Town Council consent places the memorial within town care once installed.
This will be the first commemorative statue in East Greenwich. Organizers compare the effort to the history sign series placed across Hill and Harbor in 2023. Both projects turn public space into open air classrooms.
Artist Concept Evokes Soldier and Younger Self
Spencer Evans an associate professor at Rhode Island School of Design will sculpt the work. His concept shows two linked figures. The design suggests the older soldier seen through the eyes and dreams of his younger self.
Project leaders say the composition captures hope tested by war. A presentation slide read that the sculpture reflects a drive to gain fuller life even at mortal risk. That idea guided the pose scale and placement.
Town Council Approval and Ongoing Care
On June 9 the Town Council voted to accept ownership of the statue once completed. Final acceptance will follow a review as the project nears installation. Councilors discussed meaning cost and long term care before moving ahead.
The Varnum Continentals pledged to clean and wax the bronze each year. Regular care protects surface detail and keeps the memorial presentable for visitors. Shared responsibility lowers future cost to taxpayers.
Why the Memorial Matters for Local History
Historians note that many regiment members lived trained or passed through East Greenwich yet remain little known. A public memorial fills that gap in town storytelling. It also honors residents whose service supported the wider fight for independence.
Leaders believe the statue will draw school tours heritage travelers and scholars. Added foot traffic can support Main Street businesses while deepening civic pride. History that is seen is more likely to be remembered.
Linking Local Tribute to National Anniversaries
Project timing connects several major dates. The United States marks two hundred fifty years of independence in 2026. East Greenwich celebrates its three hundred fiftieth in 2027. The two hundred fiftieth year since formation of the first Black regiment arrives in 2028.
Organizers plan to install the statue by February 2027 to sit between these milestones. The schedule lets schools and visitors use the memorial during anniversary programming. Timed storytelling helps communities tie local sacrifice to national change.
Voices From the Project Team
EGHPS historian Matt Carcieri told officials the statue is meant as a permanent public memorial. He stressed that it will be a gift to the town and that the group is ready to partner on upkeep. He also listed ways the piece will elevate the historic profile of East Greenwich.
Councilor Mike Donegan reflected on the risk taken by the men who enlisted. He said it is one thing to free someone and another to offer that freedom only if they pick up a gun and face death. Carcieri acknowledged that truth noting that the move was not pure kindness yet still opened a lawful door toward freedom.
Partners Driving the First Black Regiment Statue
The project team includes Matt Carcieri of the East Greenwich Historic Preservation Society and Patrick Donovan of the Varnum Continentals. Public historian John Dower a past president of Smith Castle is involved. Jason Roomes who descends from a soldier in the First Rhode Island Regiment lends family ties. Theresa Stokes of the Rhode Island Black Heritage Society brings statewide perspective.
Together the group blends scholarship heritage caretaking lived lineage and Black history advocacy. That mix helps shape a memorial that speaks to military service race local memory and national founding stories all at once.
