Today we celebrate the birthday of Harriet Quimby, one of America’s great aviation pioneers. Born on May 11, 1875, Quimby became the first American woman to earn a pilot’s license in 1911 and quickly captured national attention with her skill, courage, and unmistakable purple flying suit.![]()
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In 1912, she made history again as the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel, piloting a Blériot XI, the same type of early aircraft now on display in the American Heritage Museum’s annex hangar. Her achievement came just years after the dawn of powered flight and helped inspire generations of women in aviation.![]()
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The included photo shows Connie Tobias, pilot and Harriet Quimby re-enactor, flying the AHM Blériot 20 years ago, bringing Quimby’s remarkable legacy back to life.![]()
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#HarrietQuimby #AviationHistory #WomenInAviation #AmericanHeritageMuseum #BleriotXI #LivingHistory
On this day in 1940, Germany launched its invasion of Western Europe. Aircraft, tanks, motorized units, and communications helped change the pace of warfare in the opening phase of the Battle of France. The American Heritage Museum has several notable artifacts on display related to the Battle of France including the German Panzer 1 tank and the British Matilda Mk.II. Additionally, the museum is currently restoring an original German Junkers Ju 87D-5 Stuka in the Czech Republic and a German Heinkel He 111H-3 bomber in Florida for eventual display - both key aircraft used by Germany in its Blitzkrieg tactics. Learn more about the Battle of France by visiting us today!
On this day in 1945, Victory in Europe Day marked the end of World War II in Europe. For millions, it meant liberation, relief, grief, and the beginning of rebuilding after years of destruction. The American Heritage Museum has one of the largest collections of tanks, military vehicles, and artifacts from the European Campaign and we invite you to come and explore more!
🎉 The new American Heritage Museum Online Gift Shop is here!![]()
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Shop exclusive AHM gear, museum favorites, gifts, collectibles, apparel, and more, with additional products being added throughout the summer.![]()
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To celebrate the launch, enjoy 10% off your order now through May 15th with promo code FIRSTIES.![]()
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Start shopping here: ahmgiftshop.org ![]()
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Great for Father’s Day, graduation gifts, or treating yourself to something with a little history behind it!
American Heritage Museum Online Gift Shop
ahmgiftshop.org
Shop the American Heritage Museum online gift shop for exclusive apparel, collectibles, books, gifts, and museum-inspired merchandise. Find unique items for history enthusiasts, veterans, families, Fa...
Link at: ahmus.me/2026uffsymrecap![]()
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The American Heritage Museum recently hosted an incredible three-day symposium in partnership with the Ukrainian Freedom Fund, bringing together Ukrainian defenders, U.S. military leaders, technology experts, civilian witnesses, and museum visitors for a powerful look at the future of modern warfare.![]()
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Held April 23–25, 2026, the event welcomed more than 100 professionals and distinguished guests, along with nearly 800 general museum guests during the two public days. Visitors heard firsthand from those living through and studying the war in Ukraine, with discussions on drones, electronic warfare, modern combat, military training, and what these lessons mean for the U.S. and allied defense planning.![]()
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Guests were also able to take part in hands-on drone flight simulation demonstrations, helping bring the realities of today’s battlefield to life.![]()
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We are grateful to the Ukrainian Freedom Fund, all of the speakers, volunteers, guests, and everyone who helped make this important event such a success.![]()
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Read the full recap and watch the recorded public sessions at the link in the comments.
Speaker Series: World War II in Europe – A Photo Journal Presentation
May 23 @ 12:00 pm, ending May 24 @ 1:30 pm
Free with event admission
Note from Hunter Chaney, Director of Marketing and Education:
“Everyone should see this presentation. I was truly moved by Ed’s photo journal documenting his travels to many important sites and concentration camps in Europe. You will see what these places look like now and how they looked during the war. A stark reminder that this history was not that long ago.”
This Beyond Borders program is hosted by Foxborough resident and world traveler Ed Sweet who has been to all 50 U.S. states, been to more than 140 countries and seen roughly 2,800 cities on six continents, and flown more than 7 million miles during his travels. His interest in World War II stems from being in a family with a very long military history, having six family members that served in Europe in 1944-45, from having lived in Germany for 11 years, and from his extensive work travels through Europe for 30-45 weeks per year for 40 years.
Ed’s compelling photo journal presentation blends powerful archival photographs from the war with present-day images captured during his extensive travels for work throughout the continent. It will showcase key sites and commemorative memorials associated with the growth of Nazism in Germany, Adolph Hitler’s rise to power; the White Rose anti-Nazi student resistance; the Holocaust and other crimes against humanity; Jewish isolation ghettos; transit, concentration, execution and POW camps; Einsatzgruppen mobile massacres; and key battle sites and military cemeteries throughout Europe. Join us as we explore these sites through the lens of then and now.
