WWII Tank Demonstration Weekend – with Special Purple Heart Remembrance on Sunday

A fantastic weekend where you can see some of the American Heritage Museum’s tanks including the  M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, M36 Jackson, and several M5 Stuart tanks as well as other privately owned military vehicles operating on our tank driving grounds behind the museum.

Gates open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm each day. The daily Parade of Tanks will occur at both 11am and 2pm each day. Tank driving will be ongoing with at least 1-2 or more tanks driving on the operations grounds throughout the day. Some WWII re-enactor camps with displays will be set up.

All three museums will be open: The American Heritage Museum, The Historic Aviation Hangar and Classic Automobile Barn. This is a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s most rare aircraft, extraordinary American classic automobiles, historic tanks, armored vehicles, military artifacts and much more.

Sunday, August 17 – Honoring All Purple Heart Recipients

On Sunday, August 17th at 12:00pm, we will honor Purple Heart recipients from all eras and branches of service as well as those who have been entrusted to care for a Purple Heart of a loved one who has passed. This powerful event provides a fitting tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes. There will be an area where Purple Heart recipients and their families are encouraged to share their experiences and stories with attendees along with photo opportunities. After the brief ceremony at noon, all are requested to participate in a mass group photo of all attending Purple Heart holders.

All who bring a Purple Heart—whether earned in service or held in remembrance—will be admitted free to the event all day on Sunday. Purple Heart holders are requested to bring the medal or service ribbon with them and present it at the admissions gate on the road as you enter for proof of entry.

Read more about the remembrance and why we are holding this at the article at this link: “A Half Million Purple Hearts… Help Us Honor All Purple Heart Recipients on August 17, 2025”

Daily Schedule

9:00am – 5:00pm – Gates Open – All museum buildings open to visitors.
Docents and guides on staff in all museum buildings to answer any questions and provide more details on the exhibits presented.

9:30am – 4:30pm – Re-enactor encampments open to all visitors.
Re-enactors from groups like the 101st Airborne and German Infantry will be giving hands-on demonstrations and discussions throughout the day.

10:00am – 4:00pm – Paint-A-Tank – In Front of American Heritage Museum
For kids of all ages – come to the Paint-a-Tank tent in front of the museum to get a 3D printed tank to paint in the battle colors YOU choose! $5 donation per tank.

11:00am – 11:45am – World War II Parade of Armor – Driving Grounds
All World War II tanks in operation on the Tank Driving Grounds with narration by our resident historians and our invited World War II veteran guests. Includes the M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, M5 Stuart, and M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer.

12:00pm – Tales of Bravery – Purple Heart Gathering (Sunday only)
Purple Heart recipients and their families are encouraged to gather and talk about their experiences and stories. Special mass photo opportunity.

2:00pm – 2:45am – World War II Parade of Armor – Driving Grounds
Our second presentation of the day with a similar schedule to the 11:00am program.

5:00pm – All museum grounds and buildings close for the day.

There is over 100,000 square feet of space within the American Heritage Museum and Hangar combined.

Food and beverage will be available for purchase on site and picnics are allowed.

Event Day Admission Tickets

Admission for the Saturday and Sunday events are as follows:
$30 Adults  |  $25 Seniors/Veterans  |  $20 Children 16 yrs. and younger
Members, WWII/Korean War Veterans and Children Under 3 are Free – No ticket required.

*Free Admission on Sunday for Purple Heart recipients or holders – Please show the medal or service ribbon at the admissions gate for entry.

Admission discounts can not be used for special event weekends.

Your ticket includes admission for all museums, no additional tickets for the American Heritage Museum necessary.

Click Here to Buy Tickets for Saturday, August 16th, 2025

Click Here to Buy Tickets for Sunday, August 17th, 2025

Admission for AHM / CF Members

This is a Members Free Event Weekend:  one (1) free admission per day for Individual and Participating Members, two (2) free admissions per day for Dual Members, and two (2) adult and two (2) child free admissions per day for Family Members. No advance ticket purchase required, just bring your VALID membership card or recent membership receipt to the entry gate for proof. You may buy tickets online or at the gate for any additional people in your party.

Tank Rides and Driving Experiences Available

Tank Driving experiences and Tank & Half Track Rides will be taking place over the weekend. You can register online, by phone, or on-site, but spaces are limited! All donations for ride or drive experiences are tax-deductible donations as the American Heritage Museum is a 501c3 non-profit foundation.

Tank Rides Available:

– M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer (10 minute ride) – $195 per PERSON. Maximum of five (5) seated riders aboard.

– M24 Chaffee (10 minute ride) – $595 per GROUP OF THREE (3) persons – two in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.

– M4 Sherman (10 minute ride) – $595 per GROUP OF TWO (2) persons – one in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.

Tank Driving Experiences Available:

– M24 Chaffee Light Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $995.00 donation (tax deductible)

– M4 Sherman Medium Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $1495.00 donation (tax deductible)

Schedule your tank  driving or ride experience above or call 978-562-9182 to reserve.