The PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 2459 is on its way to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI from Florida! The crew is passing through Georgia now and will be working into the Midwest for an overnight along the way. On the way out of Florida, the PBY flew over P-8 Poseidon's at Cecil Field - the same mission, 84 years apart! Before departure, we got a photo of the team at American Aero Services who worked on the PBY - there were many others that helped over the seven year span, but their dedication and excellence in craftsmanship truly made #2459 singular in regards to originality - thank you for everything, American Aero Services!
If you're interested in supporting the PBY-5A and showing your love for the airplane, please shop our new online gift shop with our PBY 2459 Merch! Go to:
Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 2459 Collection
ahmgiftshop.org
Support the ongoing operation of Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo. 2459 - the oldest PBY flying and the highest scoring PBY in existence! Restored and operated by the American Heritage Museum, here i...
The American Heritage Museum is proud to report that Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 2459 took its first post-restoration flight on July 6, 2026 from New Smyrna Beach, FL after a seven-year restoration back to 1942 configuration by American Aero Services. The PBY is heading to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-in and Airshow this weekend and will be on display July 20-26 in Oshkosh, WI. For more information, please see the news article on our website.![]()
#WWII #warbirds #pbycatalina #WorldWarII #eaaairventure
Learn More & Get Tickets at ahmus.me/atdw2026 - Here's a sneak preview of the incredible new Cold War Era tanks that will be featured at America's Tank Demo Weekend on July 25th and 26th! See the new M41 Walker Bulldog, M47 Patton, M60 Main Battle Tank, M60A2 Starship, and M88 Recovery Vehicle along with our WWII tanks, the M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, and M36 Jackson! You don't want to miss it!![]()
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Music by Bensound.com![]()
License code: JTYHTQGMC13SAKVX![]()
Artist: : Benjamin Tissot
It is with profound sadness that the American Heritage Museum shares the passing of our friend and colleague, Chris Cassidy, on July 12, 2026.![]()
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Starting as a volunteer back in 2010, helping us with the Race of the Century as a "wrench" and a driver in his spare time, Chris eventually joined us on staff before the American Heritage Museum opened. Since then, Chris served as our automobile caretaker, mechanic, and museum maintenance supervisor. He was a master machinist, an exceptional mechanic, and the person we trusted whenever something needed to be repaired, restored, or simply made to work again. Around the museum, the saying was simple: “If it’s broken, Chris can fix it.” That statement applied to whether it was a museum vehicle or one belonging to our volunteers or staff -- he always helped, no matter what. ![]()
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His knowledge, patience, and craftsmanship were invaluable to the care of our historic automobiles. In preparation for the annual Father's Day event, Chris spent many nights and weekends working on everything in the car barn to get it ready for the big show. Though maintaining such a wide range of vehicles could be stressful, he always cracked jokes with a smirk when the going got tough. ![]()
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Chris’s talents extended far beyond the museum. He was a champion lawn tractor puller, a renowned go-kart builder and racer, and loved his R/C cars and slot cars. If it had wheels and went fast, Chris was there! His lucky number was 13 because, as he liked to say, he always finished first or third—never second.![]()
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For all his accomplishments, Chris was most proud of his family. He was a devoted father and grandfather who treasured the time he spent with his beloved grandson, Jamison. He was also a trusted friend who never hesitated to lend a hand, share his knowledge, or help make someone’s day a little easier.![]()
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Chris’s legacy cannot be measured only by the engines he rebuilt, the races he won, or the historic machines he preserved. It lives in the people he helped, the lessons he shared, and the example he set through hard work, kindness, and quiet generosity.![]()
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Our hearts are broken by his loss, and his absence will be felt throughout the museum for years to come.![]()
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Rest easy, Chris. Your work here is done, but your legacy will keep running strong for generations.
History After Hours: Evolution of the Main Battle Tank with Gregg Pomerleau
August 6 @ 5:00 pm, ending 8:00 pm
Included with Standard Museum Admission
Join the American Heritage Museum for a special History After Hours presentation exploring the evolution of the main battle tank from the closing years of World War II through the modern era.
Museum Hours: 5:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m. | Presentation: 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.
Sergeant First Class Gregg Pomerleau, U.S. Army (Ret.), the museum’s resident specialist on Cold War-era armored vehicles, will lead guests on a walking tour through the museum’s galleries and outdoor tank operations ramp. Using historic tanks from the museum’s permanent displays and recently donated Cold War vehicles from its operational collection, Pomerleau will explain how armor, firepower, mobility, targeting systems, crew protection, and battlefield doctrine advanced from the 1950s to the present day.
Featured vehicles will include the:
M26 Pershing
M47 Patton
M48 Patton
M60 Main Battle Tank
M60A1
M60A2, equipped with the M162 gun/launcher
M551 Sheridan
M1A1 Abrams
About the Presenter
Gregg Pomerleau began his military career in 1980 with the Massachusetts Army National Guard, initially serving as a tank driver. Inspired by the camaraderie, discipline, and sense of purpose he found in military service, he volunteered for active duty and spent eight years in the United States Army.
During his 20-year military career, Pomerleau mastered nearly every position inside a tank, serving as a driver, gunner, commander, and troop master gunner. While stationed in Germany during the Cold War, he completed more than thirty 30-day tours along the Czech and East German borders. He later returned to the Massachusetts Army National Guard, where he led tank and artillery platoons.
Pomerleau retired in 2000 after two decades of combined service. For more than seven years, he has served as the American Heritage Museum’s Senior Docent for the post-World War II galleries. He is also a proud member of Abrams Company, 4th Battalion, United States Brotherhood of Tankers.
Important Visitor Information
This program will be presented as a walking tour inside the museum and outdoors on the tank operations ramp. Guests should wear comfortable footwear and be prepared to walk and stand during the presentation. Water bottles are permitted.
History After Hours takes place on the first Thursday of each month, opening the American Heritage Museum from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for evening admission and special programming. The presentation portion takes place from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Standard museum admission rates apply. American Heritage Museum members are admitted free.
