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)
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Speaker Presentation: Firefighting During WWII
February 22, 2025 @ 1:00 pm, ending 2:00 pm
Free with standard museum admission
The lecture by Jason Cleary aims to provide a very brief overview of US firefighting during WWII – from the Office of Civil Defense Auxiliary firefighters helping to supplement firefighting forces in US cities and towns during the war; to the historically obscure US Army Engineer Firefighting Platoons deployed to the front lines overseas; to the civilian firefighters that protected our state-side military installations. Hear about some interesting, lesser-known WWII firefighting facts. Learn about how a “barn-find” military fire truck forged a new friendship between two firefighters across generational lines.
Jason M. Cleary has been in public safety for over 40 years, having worked in safety & security, law enforcement, EMS, and as a full-time firefighter for more than 30 years. He currently serves as the Fire & Life Safety Specialist for the Brunswick, Maine Fire Department. He recently retired in 2023 after 3 years as the Fire Chief in Manchester By-the Sea, Massachusetts. Prior to that assignment, he spent the previous 23 years working in the full-time fire service in New Hampshire with the Salem, Portsmouth, and Durham Fire Departments. He has been an antique fire memorabilia collector and fire buff since age 4 and has been a long-time WWII history enthusiast, researcher, collector, and reenactor as well. Having grown up in Medford, Mass., Jason now resides in Windsor, Maine with his wife Teresa. Their daughter, Eireann, now resides in Manchester, NH.
Photos are courtesy of Ted Heinbuch and the www.Firetrucks-atwar.com website.
