Don't miss this Friday's Speaker Series - Cold War Massachusetts: Hidden Infrastructure and the Legacy of Preparedness. Dec. 12th, 2:30 to 3:30. See: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/speaker-series-cold-war-massachusetts-hidden-infrastructure-...
Bob Tyce and the Attack on Pearl Harbor![]()
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#AmericanHeritageMuseum #VisitMA #militaryhistory #historymuseum #WWII #ww2 #WorldWarII #worldwar2 #army #tanks #WorldofTanks #tanknerd #PearlHarbor #neverforget
As part of our commitment to community engagement, the American Heritage Museum will offer free admission to all residents of Hudson and Stow this weekend - December 6th and 7th. Hope you can make it!
Today, December 4th, 2025, marks the 75th anniversary of Captain Thomas J. Hudner Jr's valiant attempt to rescue Ensign Jesse L. Brown in the Chosin Reservoir.![]()
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On December 4, 1950, Hudner, a native of Fall River, Massachusetts, and Brown, one of the first African-American U.S. naval aviators, were part of a flight of F4U Corsair fighter planes tasked with supporting U.S. Marine ground forces in Korea. During their mission, Ensign Brown's aircraft was struck by small arms fire, forcing him to crash-land in the Chosin Reservoir.![]()
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Shortly after, Captain Hudner intentionally crash landed his own airplane in the reservoir and rushed to Brown's crash site to try and rescue him. Upon arriving at the now burning wreck, he found that Brown's legs were pinned in the cockpit. A rescue helicopter arrived shortly after and Hudner, accompanied by the pilot, tried for 45 minutes to free Brown to no avail. ![]()
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Ensign Brown passed away shortly after from blood loss and exposure to extreme cold, and Hudner was forced to leave his body and evacuate by helicopter.![]()
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Captain Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 13th, 1951, for his actions and met Brown's widow, Daisy, during the ceremony. The two would stay in contact for the next 50 years.![]()
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The book "Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Brotherhood and Sacrifice " by Adam Makos details the entire ordeal, with a film adaptation which premiered in 2022.![]()
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Today, we remember and honor Captain Hudner and Ensign Brown for their valiant service and sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.
The answer to the “What is it? Wednesday” question from November 26th is the hood ornament on our 1942 Buick! This car was one of the last produced at Buick's plant in Flint, Michigan in 1942. Buick was one of many companies who, after the United States entered WWII, stopped producing civilian goods and began the production of war goods.![]()
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Stay tuned for the next “What is it? Wednesday” question tomorrow, December 3rd at 10:00 am EST!![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #whatisitwednesday
School Tours and Lesson Plans
SCHEDULING YOUR SCHOOL GROUP
The American Heritage Museum is open for school group tours Wednesday through Sunday. School tour reservations can be made up to one year in advance and should be made at least two weeks in advance if you would like a docent / tour guide during your visitation. Please plan between 2 to 3 hours for your visit.
Please fill out this short form if you are planning to start the reservation process or have questions (click on link below):
School / Student Group Tours – Includes Schools, Home Schools, Colleges, etc.
PAYMENT
The education rate is $8 per student and $15 per chaperone. The American Heritage Museum accepts credit cards, company checks and cash. We do not provide direct billing or receive purchase orders for payment. Deposits are not required. Tickets must be purchased together as a single transaction.
PARKING
Buses may unload in front of the American Heritage Museum at the entry vestibule on the North side of the building off the access road entering from 568 Main Street. Bus parking is allowed on the West side of the museum building.
For more information about group tours, contact groupsales@collingsfoundation.org or 978-562-9182.
LESSON PLANS:
You are welcome to utilize any of these lesson plans as stand-alone activities or during your field trip. Click on title to download PDF:
The Rise of Fascism and Beginnings of WWII
Arsenal of Democracy – Homefront War Effort
WWII Normandy Landings / D-Day
Clash of Steel – Major WWII tank battles between Russia and Germany
Allied Forces Crossing the Rhine River
WWII Battle for Berlin – Defense of the Reich
