Bob Tyce and the Attack on Pearl Harbor![]()
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#AmericanHeritageMuseum #VisitMA #militaryhistory #historymuseum #WWII #ww2 #WorldWarII #worldwar2 #army #tanks #worldoftanks #tanknerd #PearlHarbor #neverforget
As part of our commitment to community engagement, the American Heritage Museum will offer free admission to all residents of Hudson and Stow this weekend - December 6th and 7th. Hope you can make it!
Today, December 4th, 2025, marks the 75th anniversary of Captain Thomas J. Hudner Jr's valiant attempt to rescue Ensign Jesse L. Brown in the Chosin Reservoir.![]()
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On December 4, 1950, Hudner, a native of Fall River, Massachusetts, and Brown, one of the first African-American U.S. naval aviators, were part of a flight of F4U Corsair fighter planes tasked with supporting U.S. Marine ground forces in Korea. During their mission, Ensign Brown's aircraft was struck by small arms fire, forcing him to crash-land in the Chosin Reservoir.![]()
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Shortly after, Captain Hudner intentionally crash landed his own airplane in the reservoir and rushed to Brown's crash site to try and rescue him. Upon arriving at the now burning wreck, he found that Brown's legs were pinned in the cockpit. A rescue helicopter arrived shortly after and Hudner, accompanied by the pilot, tried for 45 minutes to free Brown to no avail. ![]()
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Ensign Brown passed away shortly after from blood loss and exposure to extreme cold, and Hudner was forced to leave his body and evacuate by helicopter.![]()
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Captain Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 13th, 1951, for his actions and met Brown's widow, Daisy, during the ceremony. The two would stay in contact for the next 50 years.![]()
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The book "Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Brotherhood and Sacrifice " by Adam Makos details the entire ordeal, with a film adaptation which premiered in 2022.![]()
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Today, we remember and honor Captain Hudner and Ensign Brown for their valiant service and sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.
The answer to the “What is it? Wednesday” question from November 26th is the hood ornament on our 1942 Buick! This car was one of the last produced at Buick's plant in Flint, Michigan in 1942. Buick was one of many companies who, after the United States entered WWII, stopped producing civilian goods and began the production of war goods.![]()
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Stay tuned for the next “What is it? Wednesday” question tomorrow, December 3rd at 10:00 am EST!![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #whatisitwednesday
Their gift to us was freedom. On this Giving Tuesday, your gift ensures their stories are never forgotten.![]()
Give today: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/annualfund2025/![]()
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At the American Heritage Museum, every field trip, veteran visit, and living-history weekend helps a new generation understand that freedom has a real weight—and a real cost. Your Giving Tuesday donation to our 2025–2026 Annual Fund keeps the doors open, the engines running, and the stories of service and sacrifice alive.![]()
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Their gift to us was freedom. Your gift TODAY preserves their history.![]()
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Make your Giving Tuesday gift now: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/annualfund2025/![]()
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#GivingTuesday #AmericanHeritageMuseum #SupportHistory #neverforget #veterans #historymuseum
Plan a Visit to the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, Massachusetts!
Summertime is a great time for a family getaway to Massachusetts, the Birthplace of America! And the new American Heritage Museum, located only 30 minutes outside of Boston, offers an amazing activity that’s both educational and exciting for your family. Within our 67,000 square foot museum, you’ll explore the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection of Tanks and Military Vehicles from World War I and World War II through the battlefields of today.
The American Heritage Museum features over 95 tanks, vehicles, aircraft, and large artifacts contained within in an interactive chronological display of galleries starting with the Revolutionary War. Visitors will experience a World War I trench, walk through a World War II tank factory, see a simulated battle between a German Panther and Russian T-34 tank, see the last surviving fighter aircraft from the Pearl Harbor attack, experience the only Gulf War era SCUD missile on public display in North America, and see and learn more about the only publicly displayed M1A1 Abrams, the main battle tank used today. There are over 20 tanks, artifacts, and vehicles that you’ll only find displayed here at the American Heritage Museum!
Plan ahead and find out more about our hours of operation, location, and admission rates at this link. You may even buy your tickets online for quick and easy access on the day of your visit!
For families or history buffs, you might want to learn more about becoming a member of the American Heritage Museum to help us grow and take advantage of great benefits through the entire year!
Take a Ride on or Actually Drive a Tank from World War II!
The American Heritage Museum was created with living history in mind and one of the best ways to experience history is to re-live it as a tank driver or tank crew member! We offer both driving experience programs and rides aboard our 1944-vintage M4 Sherman Medium Tank or M24 Chaffee Light Tank on the tank course right behind the museum! These immersive experiences allow you to feel what it was like to control these massive tanks on the battlefield nearly 80 years ago!
Learn more about the tank driving programs and tank rides at our tank experiences section on our website. All tank experience programs are a tax-deductible donation and are a major fundraiser to help the American Heritage Museum grow!
Exciting 2022 Summer Special Events
Visit the American Heritage Museum during one of our exciting summer events for even more to see and do! During one weekend each month we open up our additional buildings and offer an array of outdoor activities to make a full day out of your visit!
In July, our campus goes back to 1775 in the midst of the Revolutionary War as we present the Battle of Bunker Hill Re-Enactment and Encampment at the museum featuring over 100 Colonial and British Re-Enactors. Each day features an incredible battle that accurately re-enacts the famous charge on Breed’s Hill during the Battle of Bunker Hill that took place in June of 1775. Learn more at our event page here.
In August, we bring out a selection of our World War II tanks for an operating display as part of Tank Demonstration Weekend. Our M4 Sherman and M24 Chaffee are joined by others that may include the M18 Hellcat, M5 Stuart, M26 Pershing, M22 Locust, and German Hetzer. Families may meet actual World War II veterans and hear their stories during the driving displays each day. Learn more at our events page here.
And don’t forget our annual Battle for the Airfield World War II Re-Enactment Weekend in October! With over 300 re-enactors taking part in two battles daily with operating tanks, pyrotechnics, and educational narration, you and your family won’t want to miss it! Learn more at the event page here!
See our full Summer 2022 Special Event schedule at this link!
Find a Perfect Place to Stay and Dine on VisitMA.com
Our partners at the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism are ready to help you plan your perfect vacation that includes a trip to the American Heritage Museum! Head over to VisitMA.com to find the perfect place to stay in the local area or learn more about the awesome food options nearby for a “fuel up” before or after a tank experience! And use the website to find other terrific things to do in the area to make your trip even more memorable!
