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
Their gift to us was freedom. On this Giving Tuesday, your gift ensures their stories are never forgotten.![]()
Give today: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/annualfund2025/![]()
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At the American Heritage Museum, every field trip, veteran visit, and living-history weekend helps a new generation understand that freedom has a real weight—and a real cost. Your Giving Tuesday donation to our 2025–2026 Annual Fund keeps the doors open, the engines running, and the stories of service and sacrifice alive.![]()
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Their gift to us was freedom. Your gift TODAY preserves their history.![]()
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Make your Giving Tuesday gift now: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/annualfund2025/![]()
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#GivingTuesday #AmericanHeritageMuseum #SupportHistory #neverforget #veterans #historymuseum
- This event has passed.
Military History Through The Ages – *Replaces Battle for the Airfield due to COVID-19 Event Rules*
October 10, 2020 @ 9:00 am, ending October 11, 2020 @ 5:00 pm
$15 – $25
The Collings Foundation and American Heritage Museum is hosting a living history exhibition – Military History Through The Ages. The weekend features multiple re-enactors with displays from the Revolutionary War up through the present day. All three Museums will be open: The Collings Foundation Automobile Collection, The Collings Foundation Hangar, and the American Heritage Museum. Fully restored military equipment of all kinds will be on display. Camps will be set up with authentic materials and appearance. Re-enactors act as docents who share a wealth of information about life as a military person. Veterans from all ranks and branches of service will participate in discussions around each encampment. The new American Heritage Museum will be open for the weekend. The American Heritage Museum features one of the largest collection of tanks and armor in the United States. Over 95 artifacts will be on display, including the rare WWII German Panther tank, a combat veteran Russian IS-2 tank, an Iraqi SCUD missile and the only publicly displayed M1A1 Abrams tank in the world.
COVID-19 Prevention Requirements for Visitors
This living history display replaces the annual Battle for the Airfield in 2020 to adjust to Massachusetts COVID-19 restrictions. There will not be a re-enacted battle or any performance with pyrotechnics this year due to current restrictions on performances. Visitors and staff are required to wear face masks in all indoor buildings and displays and outdoors in encampments where social distancing is not possible.
Location:
American Heritage Museum
568 Main Street
Hudson, MA 01749
WHAT YOU WILL SEE
Encampments – See the recreated encampments where Re-enactors display their equipment and living conditions of the time period and many offer the ability to fully immerse yourself in living history as you walk around.
All Three Museums Open – In addition to the great variety of encampments set up, the entire grounds will be open featuring the Classic Car Barn, Historic Aviation Hangar and the American Heritage Museum. The variety of stunning and rare automobiles, beautifully restored aircraft, armored vehicles, tanks and artifacts is astounding!
Veterans Meet and Greet – Veterans from various branches of service will be out and about talking with the public about their service and experiences.
American Heritage Museum – Featuring the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection, this new museum features over 95 restored tanks, vehicles, and artifacts in a state-of-the-art museum display including many interactive displays and videos. See our World War I trench experience, the Clash of Steel interactive battle, and many more including the only modern M1A1 Abrams on public display in the world.
Hangar – See 10 vintage light aircraft from 1909 through WWII including: 1909 Bleriot XI, 1909 Curtiss Headless Pusher, 1911 Wright Model EX “Vin Fiz”, 1914 Curtiss Model F Flying Boat, 1941 Waco UPF-7, two 1942 Boeing PT-17 Stearmans, 1943 Fieseler Storch, 1943 Cessna UC-78 Bobcat, 1944 Grumman TBM Avenger. Additionally displayed on top level (not wheelchair accessible) a variety of vintage Sprint race cars and select Indy Cars.
Car Museum – An extensive collection of 25 rare automobiles from 1901 through 1935 including a rare Duesenberg SJ Dual Cowl Phaeton and many more.
DAILY SCHEDULE
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM – Gates Open, Encampments Open, Hangar and Car Museum Open.
FOOD AND COMFORT NOTES
There will be food and beverages available for purchase at the event as provided by Tastings Caterers. Coolers and picnics are also permitted on a carry in/carry out policy. Porta-Potties are available throughout the event.
TANK DRIVING EXPERIENCES
Tank Driving Experiences on the WWII Vintage M24 Chaffee Light Tank and M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank will be available on both Saturday and Sunday where YOU can drive an actual tank for 20 minutes. Slots are VERY limited and we recommend reserving a slot in advance. See program details and pricing at https://www.americanheritagemuseum.org/drive
FLIGHTS ON WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFT
We regret that there will be no flights available at the event on any World War II aircraft as offered at previous events due to restrictions imposed by the town.
ADMISSION
Adults: $25.00 per person
Veterans: $20.00 per person
Seniors: $20.00 per person
Children Under 12: $15.00 per person
WWII Vets, Korean War Vets, Children Under 3: Free
ADVANCE SALE TICKETS
Save time at the entrance gate by purchasing your tickets in advance! Click the date you wish to purchase admission for below:
Tickets for Saturday, October 10, 2020 – Click Here
Tickets for Sunday, October 11, 2020 – Click Here
