Feeling the cold of winter? Think of the guys caught in the Battle of the Bulge!![]()
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Join us tomorrow, February 12, 1:00pm to 2:30pm, for an engaging talk by Dr. Michael Hirsh about Battle of the Bulge with a particular focus on a nurse whose important role in helping Allied soldiers survive was never given its proper due until 10 years ago.![]()
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Dr. Hirsh will discuss the development of this battle and how this ultimate Allied victory could have turned into a defeat. He will also talk about the role of some “unsung heroes” in helping secure the victory using their medical skills. See: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/speaker-series-the-forgotten-angel-of-bastogne/
82 years ago this week marks the pivotal end of the Battle of Stalingrad, a major turning point in World War II. On February 2nd, 1943, the German 6th Army surrendered to Soviet forces, marking the end of the fierce and bloody battle. The American Heritage Museum features a rare Soviet T-34-76 tank and other artifacts in our Eastern Front Gallery to recount this historic WWII clash.
In honor of Black History Month, we highlight six African Americans who made a significant impact during key wars in U.S. history. Read more: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2025/02/black-history-month-heroes-in-u-s-military-history/
80 years ago today, the Soviet Army liberates Auschwitz on January 27, 1945, uncovering the largest Nazi concentration and extermination camp. Located in occupied Poland, Auschwitz had become a symbol of the Holocaust, where over 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were murdered. As the Soviets advanced, the Nazis evacuated many prisoners in death marches, leaving thousands behind in horrific conditions. The liberators found emaciated survivors, evidence of mass atrocities, and warehouses filled with victims' belongings. Auschwitz’s liberation exposed the scale of Nazi crimes to the world. It is because of this, this day is now recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Experience military history from the Roman Empire, 1400 years before the birth of the United States this Saturday at the American Heritage Museum. The Legion III Cyrenaica living history group will be with us on Saturday, January 25th from 11am to 3pm to share with our visitors the history of ancient Rome, its military, and culture. They will be on hand to answer questions and interact with visitors throughout the day and is included with standard museum admission for the day. Learn more at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/the-romans-are-coming/
Some Options for Your Bequest
As you consider adding the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation to your planned giving arrangements, there are several ways to add language to your will or trust to add our organization as a beneficiary. Please see the examples below for bequest options and sample language.
Specific Bequest: “I bequeath Twenty Thousand ($20,000) Dollars [or: all my xxxx stock] to Collings Foundation, Inc. dba American Heritage Museum, a Massachusetts non-profit organization EIN 47-1954671, located in Hudson, MA.”
Residuary Bequest: “I bequeath Ten Percent (10%) of the residue of my estate to Collings Foundation, Inc. dba American Heritage Museum, a Massachusetts non-profit organization EIN 47-1954671, located in Hudson, MA.”
Contingent Bequest: “If my nephew does not survive me or is unable to inherit this bequest, I direct that it be paid to Collings Foundation, Inc. dba American Heritage Museum, a Massachusetts non-profit organization EIN 47-1954671, located in Hudson, MA.”
Please speak with your financial planner to learn which option is right for you. And, let us know if we may include you in our planned giving society!
Suggested wording to Make a Bequest to American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation
The unconditional bequest . . .
“I hereby give, devise, and bequeath to Collings Foundation, Inc. dba American Heritage Museum, 568 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749 (EIN 47-1954671) __________ percent of the rest, residue and remainder of my property, real and personal, (or the sum of $ ________ or other appropriately described property to be paid out of the real of personal property) owned by me at my death to be used for the living history and education purposes of the American Heritage Museum.”
The contingent bequest . . .
“. . . If any other the above-named beneficiaries should predecease me, then I give, devise, and bequeath the property, real or personal, which said beneficiary of beneficiaries would have received if they had survived me, to Collings Foundation, Inc. dba American Heritage Museum, 568 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749 (EIN 47-1954671) to be used for the living history and education purposes of the American Heritage Museum.”
The bequest of residue . . .
“I give, devise, and bequeath to Collings Foundation, Inc. dba American Heritage Museum, 568 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749 (EIN 47-1954671) all the rest of my property, real and personal, to be used for the living history and education purposes of the American Heritage Museum.”
The specific purpose bequest . . .
“I give and bequeath to Collings Foundation, Inc. dba American Heritage Museum, 568 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749 (EIN 47-1954671) the sum of $__________ to establish the ______________ Fund, the net income of which is to be used for _________. If at some future date, in the opinion of the Board of Trustees of Collings Foundation, Inc., the income from this fund is no longer needed for the aforementioned purposes, then the Board is authorized to use said income and principal for the living history and education purposes of the American Heritage Museum.”
Questions? Reach out to us.
If you have any questions about this process or what might work best for your needs, please contact Ryan Keough, Director of Development at rkeough@americanheritagemuseum.org or call 978-562-9182 x203.
