Veterans Memorial Museum of Rhode Island
This museum season, I am completing the Passport to History developed by Old Colony History Museum in Taunton. Last Saturday, I visited three more museums in the passport book, plus a bonus museum. The Veterans Memorial Museum of Rhode Island is a remarkable collection of military and war artifacts started by Glenn Dusablon, who also gave my private tour. The museum is on the second floor of the American French Genealogical Society in Woonsocket, RI, formerly a gymnasium / auditorium accessible by elevator or stairs, and does not have external signage, but rest assured that the parking lot at 78 Earl Street is the right place to be!
This museum was similar to another member of the Passport to History: Fort Taber - Fort Rodman Historical Association Military Museum in Fort Taber Park. Both hold military uniforms, medals, weapons, letters, photographs, dioramas, flags, signs, and other artifacts from American wars. For the Veterans Memorial Museum, focus was on soldiers who lived in Rhode Island and served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. I appreciated that many uniforms at this Woonsocket museum included a badge with information about its wearer, and I was impressed that the collection had a higher percentage of women’s uniforms than what I have seen at other similar museums.
Since Glenn knew many of the donors or loaners personally, or he had purchased the item himself, he had a story to go with each artifact. He is a well-known collector in the northern Rhode Island area and prides himself on getting good deals. Local family members frequently donated the collections of their husband, father, or grandfather. One donor even came to visit when I was taking my tour! Some rare items in the museum include a large reconnaissance camera used to take pictures from an airplane during World War II, eight Japanese samurai swords with the oldest ones from the Medieval period, and a newspaper article set beside a banner with eight blue stars signifying eight sons in the Cote family who served in the military. I also enjoyed seeing a ski and snowshoe patrol outfit from the same time period.
The museum was highly interactive, as I was permitted to hold certain artifacts and listen as Glenn sounded two different restored alarms. Photography was not only permitted but encouraged. Because of this relaxed approach, I would feel comfortable bringing families and small school groups with children ages ten and up to this museum.
The museum is open on Tuesdays and Saturdays all year from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Entry costs $5 for adults, $0 for students, veterans, and Passport to History holders. My tour lasted for ninety minutes because of my strong interest in history. Neither the email nor the Facebook page of this museum as listed on the website appear to be operational, but calling the phone number may yield results. The rooms are well lit and the main room has fairly wide aisles, although the side rooms are more difficult to navigate. Not much seating is currently in the exhibit area, but a chair could easily be borrowed from a side room.
Abby Epplett’s Rating System
Experience: 7/10
Accessibility: 8/10