History Takes Flight – Historic Aviation Weekend

Join us on Saturday, September 13th and Sunday, September 14th from 9:00am to 5:00pm for Historic Aviation Weekend at the American Heritage Museum!

Each day will be full of history in the skies and on the ground! Throughout each day, a number of aviation historians and pilots will be featured as they cover amazing stories from the past and present of aviation. Make sure to see the daily flying demonstrations with several of the aircraft from our collection taking to the skies from our beautiful grass airfield. This is your opportunity to get a close look at the aircraft that made history and learn more about the pilots and personalities around them.

FEATURED GUEST

Col. Joe Peterburs, USAF (Ret.)

A P-51 Mustang pilot in World War II best known for shooting down German jet ace Walter Schuck’s Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter on April 10, 1945 – something considered to be nearly impossible by many. Later shot down himself and becoming a POW, Peterburs was able to escape and evade re-capture by joining a Soviet Tank Crew and fighting through Germany before re-joining U.S. forces! Peterburs remained active in the USAF through the Korean War and Vietnam War. We are honored to welcome Col. Peterburs, now 100 years old, as our featured guest for the weekend.

DAILY SCHEDULE:

9:30am – 10:15am – Presentation by author Doug Hall:

“Legacy of the Skies – Tribute to a Legendary Aviator”

10:30am – 11:30am – Presentation by Bob Sheppard

“James Sheppard and the Red Tails” about the Tuskegee Airmen

12:00pm – 1:00pm- Presentation by Ross Sharp

“First Contact – RAF Mosquito encounter with a Me262 jet”

1:00pm – 2:00pm – Flying Demonstrations and Aircraft Presentations:

1) Waco UIC – Pearl Harbor Survivor
2) Tuskegee Airmen PT-17 Stearman Trainer
3) L-5 Sentinel & Fieseler Fi-156 Storch
4) AT-6 Texan

2:30pm – 3:30pm – Presentation by Col. Joe Peterburs

“Against the Odds – P-51 Mustang Ace and how he shot down a German Me262 during WWII”

All three museums will be open: The American Heritage Museum, The Historic Aviation Hangar and Classic Automobile Barn. This is a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s most rare aircraft, extraordinary American classic automobiles, historic tanks, armored vehicles, military artifacts and much more. There is over 100,000 square feet of space within the American Heritage Museum and Hangar combined.

Food and beverage will be available for purchase on site and picnics are allowed.

ADMISSION TICKETS

Admission for the Saturday and Sunday events are as follows:

$30 – Adults

$25 – Seniors (62+) / Veterans & Active Duty

$20 – Children 16 yrs. and Under

Members, WWII/Korean War Veterans and Children Under 3 are Free – No ticket required. Admission discounts can not be used for special event weekends.

Your ticket includes admission for all museums, no additional tickets for the American Heritage Museum necessary.

Click Here to Buy Tickets for Saturday, September 13th, 2025

Click Here to Buy Tickets for Sunday, September 14th, 2025

Admission for AHM / CF Members

This is a Members Free Event Weekend:  one (1) free admission per day for Individual and Participating Members, two (2) free admissions per day for Dual Members, and two (2) adult and two (2) child free admissions per day for Family Members. No advance ticket purchase required, just bring your VALID membership card or recent membership receipt to the entry gate for proof. You may buy tickets online or at the gate for any additional people in your party.

Tank Rides and Driving Experiences Available

Tank Driving experiences and Tank & Half Track Rides will be taking place over the weekend. You can register online, by phone, or on-site, but spaces are limited! All donations for ride or drive experiences are tax-deductible donations as the American Heritage Museum is a 501c3 non-profit foundation.

Tank Rides Available:

– M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer (10 minute ride) – $195 per PERSON. Maximum of five (5) seated riders aboard.

– M24 Chaffee (10 minute ride) – $595 per GROUP OF THREE (3) persons – two in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.

– M4 Sherman (10 minute ride) – $595 per GROUP OF TWO (2) persons – one in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.

Tank Driving Experiences Available:

– M24 Chaffee Light Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $995.00 donation (tax deductible)

– M4 Sherman Medium Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $1495.00 donation (tax deductible)

Schedule your tank  driving or ride experience above or call 978-562-9182 to reserve.