History After Hours: Evolution of the Main Battle Tank with Gregg Pomerleau

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.

Get Tickets for History After Hours – Thursday, August 6th