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.
Let's Tour the American M18 Hellcat in 60 Seconds!![]()
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#AmericanHeritageMuseum #visitma #MilitaryHistory #historymuseum #WWII
- This event has passed.
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.
