We need your help to find a "Rosie the Riveter" from Republic in Evansville, IN who built our P-47!
As the American Heritage Museum restoration team at American Aero Services in New Smyrna Beach, FL worked on the P-47 Thunderbolt restoration, they uncovered...“Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”
– Winston Churchill, 1948
Our future as a nation and as a world depends upon how future generations will remember, understand, and embrace the legacy of those fought for our freedoms.
The American Heritage Museum stands as a testament to the unwavering courage and resilience of those who valiantly fought to defend the values we have lived by for nearly 250 years. Within its halls lie the narratives that remind us of the sacrifices made, the battles won, and the losses endured.
Our duty does not end with remembrance; it extends to allowing these insights to fortify our present to secure our future. In the face of modern challenges and shifting global forces, it is even more crucial that our museum grows and adapts to remain a major living history resource for visitors, young and old. Only through this commitment can we be assured future visitors will understand why democracy demands vigilance.
We write to you because you have generously supported us. You have experienced for yourself how we accomplish our mission. It is clear that you believe in the work of the American Heritage Museum and the Collings Foundation.
Now we ask you to help us to continue our mission of education and remembrance here in New England while acting as a national and international destination.
As detailed on the back of this correspondence, we have accomplished great things with your assistance during this past year. We continue to add powerful, historic exhibits, embark on ambitious restorations of rare artifacts, welcome record numbers of students for educational field trips, and host visitors from near and far during our living history weekends.
Your dollars preserve our American military heritage
Your support propels our mission to preserve, protect, and present history. We receive no government funds for what we do… only the dedication and donations from supporters like you allow us to sustain our mission.
With a small staff, modest overhead, and an amazing team of passionate volunteers, we have transformed every dollar given into tremendous impact. Our forward momentum is strong but we need your help to keep it going.
Your gift will enable us to reach over 70,000 visitors in the coming year, and to provide hands-on history education for over 8,000 students.
With your help we will begin restoration on new aircraft including the P-47 Thunderbolt, Hawker Hurricane, and the rare and iconic Ju-87 Stuka, as well as others. Of particular importance is our pending restoration of a 1920s German rail car that will become a crucial part of our new, permanent exhibit on the horrors and the lessons of The Holocaust
This is why we ask you to make the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation, Inc., a part of your year-end giving.
There is so much to accomplish, and your support will ensure our shared success in honoring our legacy of freedom and presenting our nation’s heritage. Working together we can meet Churchill’s challenge to remember the past and pass its lessons on to future generations
Give to the American Heritage Museum & Collings Foundation Annual Fund
Do you want to help the most pressing needs at the American Heritage Museum and the Collings Foundation? Consider a donation to our Annual Fund. All donations to the Annual Fund help support year-end operations, maintenance, restorations, and development of our educational program planning for the next year.
Learn more about giving to the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation Annual Fund at this link.
Become a Member of the American Heritage Museum and the Collings Foundation
Membership to the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation is a fantastic way to contribute each year and become an active part of the American Heritage Museum and the Collings Foundation. Membership is available for student, individuals, couples, and families and include great benefits such as free admission, discounts, and volunteer opportunities. Lifetime memberships are also available.
Click here to learn more about membership and purchase a membership online…
Give to our educational field trip endowment…
An American Association of School Administrators survey found that 50% of schools did not plan field trips for the coming year. Budgetary crunches are partially to blame. We intend to develop an endowment to assist with admissions, and provide bus funding so that the American Heritage Museum can bring much needed history and STEM content to students.
Click to donate online to the educational field trip endowment…
How to Contribute
Contributions may be made through cash, check or money order, or Mastercard or Visa. Donations of appreciated stock are also accepted.
Monetary donations are essential and our greatest need. There are a variety of ways to support the Collings Foundation. Estate provisions, IRA payments, foundation grants and stock are always appreciated. Over ninety-five cents of every dollar donated goes directly to our programs including operations, maintenance, restoration and endowment for the future.
Contact Us Today
Please contact our Development Office with any questions you may have about giving and sponsorship to help further our mission of living history for future generations!
Contact: Ryan Keough
Director of Donor Relations and Development
978-562-9182 office – rkeough@collingsfoundation.org