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, ...
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Speaker Series – The Rifle 2 by Andrew Biggio
October 28, 2023 @ 1:00 pm, ending 3:00 pm
$10 – $20
Join us for a special presentation by Andrew Biggio on his second book in The Rifle series. In this highly anticipated follow-up to The Rifle, Andrew Biggio brings to light more untold stories from the quickly vanishing ranks of the veterans of World War II.
Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Purpose
They are called the Greatest Generation, but they were also ordinary men, sharing in all of humanity’s weaknesses and flaws while responding to the call of duty. These are their unforgettable stories—first-person accounts from the last of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who fought the most dreadful war in history, all collected by a veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The idea was simple: travel across the country with a 1945 M1 Garand, the basic U.S. fighting rifle of World War II, ask combat veterans of that war to sign it, and listen carefully as the sight, touch, and feel of that rifle evoke a flood of memories and emotions. In this highly anticipated follow-up to The Rifle, Andrew Biggio once again reveals the astonishing effect his M1 Garand had on the old warriors who held it.
The passage of time is swiftly snatching from us the last of those men, but the memories of those who remain are vivid and strong. It’s astonishing to see how grasping that rifle brings out those memories—good, bad, terrifying, and heroic.
In Biggio’s riveting account, you will learn:
• What it was like to fight for freedom in the various theaters of World War II
• The obstacles these world-conquerors faced on returning home and how they overcame them
• The special meaning these recollections hold for later combat vets, confirming the brotherhood of warriors
• The importance to veterans of memory and respect
We anticipate several WWII veterans to attend this talk. Many who have been featured in The Rifle.
