History Takes Flight – Historic Aviation Weekend

Join us on Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th 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. Some of the aircraft that will be flying include the Tuskegee Airmen PT-17 Stearman Trainer, Okinawa L-5 / OY-1 Sentinel, German Fieseler Fi-156 Storch, AT-6 Texan fighter trainer, and for the first time, the WWII US Coast Guard Grumman JRF-5 Goose flying boat!

This year’s event will also commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the Attacks of September 11, 2001 on New York City and Washington DC. Each day will feature a presentation from Maj. Heather “Lucky” Penney, USAF (Ret.) who was one of two F-16 pilots of the DC Air National Guard who were sent to intercept United Flight 93 on, what could have been, a one-way mission. Maj. Penney will describe her experiences that day and how America’s air defense strategy has changed and continues to evolve since then.

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.

Daily Schedule

9:00am – 5:00pm – Gates Open – All museum buildings and displays open to visitors.

9:00am – 5:00pm – Tank Rides & Drives Open (scheduled and walk-up) – Check in inside the AHM building.

9:00am – 5:00pm – Paint-a-Tank Children’s Activity – For kids of all ages – come to the Paint-a-Tank tent in front of the main museum to get a 3D printed tank to paint in the battle colors YOU choose! $5 Donation per tank.

10:00am – 5:00pm – WWII War Gaming & Modeling Demonstrations – Mezzanine level of Aircraft Hangar – Guides will be demonstrating tabletop strategy war gaming and modelling in the hangar through the day.

12:00pm – 1:30pm – Historic Aircraft Presentation – Performance Area / Airfield

1) Tuskegee Airmen Boeing PT-17 Stearman Basic Trainer
2) Stinson L-5 Sentinel & Fieseler Fi-156 Storch Liasion Aircraft
3) AT-6 Texan WWII Trainer and Korean War Forward Air Controller
4) Grumman JRF-5 Goose – U.S. Coast Guard Flying Boat

2:30pm – 3:45pm – September 11, 2001 with Maj. Heather “Lucky” Penney, USAF (Ret) – Presentation and Q&A inside the Aircraft Hangar

Our special guest will be Major Heather “Lucky” Penney, USAF Retired, a pioneering F-16 pilot who was serving with the 121st Fighter Squadron of the District of Columbia Air National Guard when America came under attack.

With United Airlines Flight 93 believed to be heading toward Washington, D.C., then-First Lieutenant Penney and her commanding officer launched from Andrews Air Force Base in F-16s that had not yet been armed. Knowing that they might have no means of stopping the hijacked airliner other than ramming it, they took to the skies prepared to undertake a one-way mission in defense of the nation.

In a moving, respectful, and ultimately uplifting presentation, Major Penney will reflect on her experience on 9/11 and honor the service, sacrifice, and heroism of those who answered the call that day.

5:00pm – All museum grounds, buildings, and encampments close for the day.

Event Day Admission Tickets

Admission for the Saturday and Sunday events are as follows:

$35 Adults
$30 Seniors (62+)
$25 Veterans/Military/First Responders
$20 Students (16 & 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.

Click to Get Tickets for Saturday, September 12, 2026

Click to Get Tickets for Sunday, September 13, 2026

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

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.