Here is this week’s challenge for “What is it Wednesday?” - a close up of something in the museum or our collection for you to guess what it is in the comments!![]()
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What is it?! We are looking for what it might be part of within the museum and, for more of a challenge, what the exact part is and what it does! Answer in the comments below and tune-in for the answer next Tuesday at 10:00am EST!![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #historymuseum #visitma
Today, March 25th, is National Medal of Honor Day. In honor of this, we would like to take the opportunity to honor MoH recipient Colonel John Riley “Killer” Kane. “Killer” Kane was a B-24 Liberator pilot who led the 98th Bomb Group in Operation Tidal Wave; a large-scale bombing raid on German run oil refineries in Ploesti, Romania on Aug. 1st, 1943. Thanks to the generous donation of Mr. Curtis Burton, we have the honor and privilege of displaying Col. Kane’s Medal of Honor here at the American Heritage Museum as part of our Italian Campaign gallery. ![]()
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You can read more about Col. John “Killer” Kane at: bit.ly/4iVKYaq![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #medalofhonor #moh #usaaf #ploesti #operationtidalwave #wwii #wwiihistory #worldwarii #worldwar2 #b24liberator
Today is Rosie the Riveter Day, honoring the iconic symbol of female empowerment during WWII. Rosie represented the millions of women who entered industrial jobs, proving their strength and capability. Despite facing discrimination, they paved the way for workplace rights and gender equality. Rosie’s legacy lives on in today’s fight for equal pay, representation, and opportunity—reminding us: “We Can Do It!”![]()
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Read our full article about today's importance at: bit.ly/4hDJaly![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #rosietheriveter #rosietheriveterday #celebratewomen #womenshistorymonth #inspiringwomentoday #worldwarii #wwii #arsenalofdemocracy
One of the goals of the American Heritage Museum is to encourage our visitors to learn about the veterans in your own family and reflect on the experiences they went through during their service. When we first started, our focus was on our World War II veteran community, but sadly, many of our WWII veterans are no longer with us and many family members only learned about their service after their passing. Think of the WWII veteran that was in your life... family or friend. What is the one question you'd ask them today if they were still with us? Such questions may inspire others who have veterans in their life to ask the same and keep their stories alive. ![]()
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Please share your questions in the comments. ![]()
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Photo of WWII B-24 pilot Frank Tedesco (1921-2020), 451st BG and friend of the Collings Foundation via Emily Clark - Wicked Local (2013)![]()
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#WWII #veterans #WWIIveteran #veteranlife #AmericanHeritageMuseum
Read the full post at: bit.ly/3FkwQZM![]()
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That old saying “the devil is in the details” certainly holds true for the ongoing restoration of Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 2459 in New Smyrna Beach, FL at American Aero Services. Though the exterior restoration is mostly complete, the interior restoration to bring the aircraft back to accurate 1942 wartime configuration has been an enormous task that has tested the skills of the restoration crew led by project manager Casey Littrell. Because the aircraft arrived from Europe with little original equipment, nearly all of the interior components have either had be found or fabricated. And considering the early vintage of this PBY, original equipment is scarce… so just sourcing the materials is a monumental task in its own right. And for items that need to be fabricated, finding original drawings or photos to accurately reconstruct items is an additional challenge... (continued)![]()
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Please read the full update with a gallery of photos at: bit.ly/3FkwQZM![]()
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#PBYCatalina #PBY5A #FlyingBoat #USNavy #NavalAviation #AvGeek
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!
