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
July 4th, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the formation of the United States of America, marking our independence from the British Empire. ![]()
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Happy Birthday, USA! 🎈🎉🎂![]()
You don't look a day over 200.![]()
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#AmericanHeritageMuseum #visitma #4thofJuly #usa #tanks
Meet the German PaK 40!![]()
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#AmericanHeritageMuseum #visitma #MilitaryHistory #historymuseum #WWII
We are open Friday, July 3rd through Sunday, July 5th - 10am-5pm Daily in celebration of Independence Day and America's 250th Anniversary! Come learn about our military heritage from 1776 through today! All in air conditioned comfort! Tickets at:
Purchase Tickets Online - The American Heritage Museum
www.americanheritagemuseum.org
Purchase Your General Admission Tickets Online and Save Time and Money!* Online tickets are $2 off in-person tickets! The American Heritage Museum is open every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, ...
- This event has passed.
Speaker Series: MacArthur Reconsidered
September 22, 2023 @ 2:00 pm, ending 3:30 pm
$10 – $20
Join us at the American Heritage Museum on September 22nd to hear a presentation by James Ellman, author of “MacArthur Reconsidered,” as he digs deep, connects the dots, and concludes that General Douglas MacArthur was decidedly not a military genius.
One of America’s most controversial generals, Douglas MacArthur’s rise through the U.S. Army’s ranks was meteoric. However, he did not lead large formations of men in combat until he assumed command of forces in the Philippines in 1941. When war commenced with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, MacArthur’s performance on the battlefield was a failure: he underestimated the Japanese, and his poorly trained forces were outmaneuvered and outfought by a much smaller invading force. However, in what became a repeating hallmark of his career, he successfully portrayed his actions to much of the American people as brilliant and heroic regardless of victory or defeat. After fleeing to Australia, MacArthur famously announced, “I will return,” and followed through on a quest to retake Manila regardless of its impact on Allied global strategy or its cost in American, Australian, and Filipino blood.
In his subsequent role as America’s shogun in Tokyo, MacArthur was again surprised by an enemy he underestimated. The Korean War yielded his greatest victory, at Inchon, but also his greatest defeat, along the Yalu River. Unwilling to accept anything but complete victory, he openly defied President Truman: MacArthur fatally undermined chances for an early peace, planned to seed a great swath of enemy territory with radioactive cobalt, and attempted to widen a conflict which threatened to become a third world war. Raging against his subsequent firing, he only truly faded away after he was publicly criticized by a panoply of America’s greatest WWII generals.
Today, MacArthur still polarizes. Many biographies agree he was a great and patriotic leader marred by a few failures. Ellman argues the opposite: MacArthur was a lackluster battlefield commander who suffered stunning defeats while undermining the command structure of our military.
