The PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 2459 is on its way to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI from Florida! The crew is passing through Georgia now and will be working into the Midwest for an overnight along the way. On the way out of Florida, the PBY flew over P-8 Poseidon's at Cecil Field - the same mission, 84 years apart! Before departure, we got a photo of the team at American Aero Services who worked on the PBY - there were many others that helped over the seven year span, but their dedication and excellence in craftsmanship truly made #2459 singular in regards to originality - thank you for everything, American Aero Services!
If you're interested in supporting the PBY-5A and showing your love for the airplane, please shop our new online gift shop with our PBY 2459 Merch! Go to:
Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 2459 Collection
ahmgiftshop.org
Support the ongoing operation of Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo. 2459 - the oldest PBY flying and the highest scoring PBY in existence! Restored and operated by the American Heritage Museum, here i...
The American Heritage Museum is proud to report that Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina BuNo 2459 took its first post-restoration flight on July 6, 2026 from New Smyrna Beach, FL after a seven-year restoration back to 1942 configuration by American Aero Services. The PBY is heading to the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh Fly-in and Airshow this weekend and will be on display July 20-26 in Oshkosh, WI. For more information, please see the news article on our website.![]()
#WWII #warbirds #pbycatalina #WorldWarII #eaaairventure
Learn More & Get Tickets at ahmus.me/atdw2026 - Here's a sneak preview of the incredible new Cold War Era tanks that will be featured at America's Tank Demo Weekend on July 25th and 26th! See the new M41 Walker Bulldog, M47 Patton, M60 Main Battle Tank, M60A2 Starship, and M88 Recovery Vehicle along with our WWII tanks, the M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, and M36 Jackson! You don't want to miss it!![]()
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Music by Bensound.com![]()
License code: JTYHTQGMC13SAKVX![]()
Artist: : Benjamin Tissot
It is with profound sadness that the American Heritage Museum shares the passing of our friend and colleague, Chris Cassidy, on July 12, 2026.![]()
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Starting as a volunteer back in 2010, helping us with the Race of the Century as a "wrench" and a driver in his spare time, Chris eventually joined us on staff before the American Heritage Museum opened. Since then, Chris served as our automobile caretaker, mechanic, and museum maintenance supervisor. He was a master machinist, an exceptional mechanic, and the person we trusted whenever something needed to be repaired, restored, or simply made to work again. Around the museum, the saying was simple: “If it’s broken, Chris can fix it.” That statement applied to whether it was a museum vehicle or one belonging to our volunteers or staff -- he always helped, no matter what. ![]()
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His knowledge, patience, and craftsmanship were invaluable to the care of our historic automobiles. In preparation for the annual Father's Day event, Chris spent many nights and weekends working on everything in the car barn to get it ready for the big show. Though maintaining such a wide range of vehicles could be stressful, he always cracked jokes with a smirk when the going got tough. ![]()
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Chris’s talents extended far beyond the museum. He was a champion lawn tractor puller, a renowned go-kart builder and racer, and loved his R/C cars and slot cars. If it had wheels and went fast, Chris was there! His lucky number was 13 because, as he liked to say, he always finished first or third—never second.![]()
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For all his accomplishments, Chris was most proud of his family. He was a devoted father and grandfather who treasured the time he spent with his beloved grandson, Jamison. He was also a trusted friend who never hesitated to lend a hand, share his knowledge, or help make someone’s day a little easier.![]()
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Chris’s legacy cannot be measured only by the engines he rebuilt, the races he won, or the historic machines he preserved. It lives in the people he helped, the lessons he shared, and the example he set through hard work, kindness, and quiet generosity.![]()
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Our hearts are broken by his loss, and his absence will be felt throughout the museum for years to come.![]()
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Rest easy, Chris. Your work here is done, but your legacy will keep running strong for generations.
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 at the link below to get 20% off standard admission through our postcard promotion!
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!
Get $50 off your tank experience when you enter the promo code “VISITMA22” at check-out or call us to book at 978-562-9182 and give the promo code then.
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!
