Get a glimpse inside the first tank a visitor experiences at the American Heritage Museum - the M1917 from World War I. The American M1917 was the U.S. licensed copy of the French Renault FT, a compact World War I tank that pioneered the classic turreted layout still used today. Small, light, and mechanically straightforward, it represented America’s earliest steps into armored warfare.![]()
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This tour takes you around the outside, touching on its surprisingly complex running gear, and the many differences from its French ancestor. We then go inside its tight crew compartment, showcasing the driver’s station, and the turret’s interesting weapon setup.![]()
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The American M1917 was the U.S. licensed copy of the French Renault FT, a compact World War I tank that pioneered the classic turreted layout still used toda...
- 2025 Photo Recap -![]()
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Here are a few of our favorite photos from the last year! Thank you so much to everyone who visited in 2025!![]()
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From all of us here at the American Heritage Museum, we wish you a very happy and safe new year! See you in 2026! 🥳 🎉![]()
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Photo credit to Matthew Ford, Keith Reid (@madbadger_aviationlens )
Learn about all the great stories of the past year and get a glimpse into our exciting future plans... read the 2025 American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation Annual Magazine at the link below!
2025 American Heritage Museum / Collings Foundation Annual Magazine
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Eighty years ago, veterans of World War II were starting to come home, able to spend the holidays with their families again in peacetime. As we reflect on the happiness they experienced, let us all find peace, joy, and comfort with our loved ones as we share this precious time of year. From all of us at the American Heritage Museum, Happy Holidays and Seasons Greetings to you, wherever you are, and our best wishes for a happy and healthy 2026! ![]()
(Artwork by @djangostudios for the American Heritage Museum)
- This event has passed.
Battle of Iwo Jima Remembered
February 22, 2025 @ 10:00 am, ending 5:00 pm
Free with standard museum admission
Baker Company, 21st Marines, and 3rd Navy Medical Battalion re-enactors will have a presentation at 1pm and 3pm, and table displays of equipment, weapons, and gear to educate the public on the Battle of Iwo Jima that took place February 19- March 26, 1945. Iwo Jima was the second to last battle of World War II in the Pacific. It was the first and only island in the Pacific Theater where the number of American casualties outnumbered the Japanese. The fighting was some of the fiercest of the war in the Pacific.
On February 19th, 1945 Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions landed on Iwo Jima. The fighting was so intense and casualties so high from the outset that February 21st the 9th Marine Regiment, and 1st & 2nd Battalions of the 21st Marine Regiments were taken from the 3rd Marine Division (sitting in floating reserve) and moved onshore to support the advancing Marine Line.
Over the next thirty-four days the Marines ground their way forward. The 21st Marines pushed across the second airfield, and the uncompleted airfield. Fighting using rifles, zippo tanks, bazookas, flamethrowers and hand-to-hand combat was long and arduous before Marines from 1st Battalion, 21st Marines saw the northern shore of the island.
Baker Company, and 3rd Navy Medical Battalion will have uniformed re-enactors on hand to interpret and discuss the experience of the Marines and Navy Corpsmen and surgeons who fought on Iwo Jima in honor of the 80th anniversary of the battle.
