The American Heritage Museum, located in Hudson, Massachusetts, is honored to announce that it has been awarded a generous $200,000 matching grant as part of the Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) administered by MassDevelopment and the Mass Cultural Council. The American Heritage Museum is one of 94 cultural organizations within the Commonwealth that will be receiving portions of the $7,661,000 total funds distributed. This important funding will be allow the American Heritage Museum to complete the “Hanoi Hilton” Vietnam POW Exhibit expansion that has taken place within the Vietnam War Gallery of the museum, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of those who endured years of captivity, isolation, and torture during the Vietnam War.
The American Heritage Museum is renowned for its commitment to preserving and showcasing the rich heritage of the armed forces of the United States of America from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts, and the addition of the Vietnam POW exhibit represents a significant milestone in their mission. This exhibit will provide visitors with an immersive experience, shedding light on the harrowing experiences of American prisoners of war during the Vietnam War era.
“We are deeply grateful to MassDevelopment and the Mass Cultural Council for their recognition and support,” said Rob Collings, President of the American Heritage Museum. “This matching grant enables us to bring to life an important chapter in our nation’s history and pay tribute to the incredible valor displayed by the POWs of the Vietnam War. It is our honor to provide a platform where their stories can be heard, understood, and appreciated by present and future generations.”
The “Hanoi Hilton” Vietnam War POW exhibit features the reconstruction of an actual cell of the infamous Hoa Lo” prison in Hanoi where American POWs were held from 1965 to 1973. Within the exhibit visitors experience immersive multimedia and environments, the experience of a POW as told by POWs themselves. From their shootdown and capture, into months of interrogation and torture, through years of isolation and inhumane captivity, visitors understand the fortitude and determination that was needed to survive before returning to the United States in 1973, just 50 years ago. Through the use of cutting-edge technology, multimedia installations, and authentic historical artifacts, the American Heritage Museum aims to foster a deep understanding of the sacrifices made by prisoners of war during their captivity and upon their release.
The Cultural Facilities Fund grant program plays a pivotal role in supporting cultural organizations across Massachusetts, enabling them to enhance their infrastructure and develop new exhibits and programs. By awarding this matching grant to the American Heritage Museum, MassDevelopment and Mass Cultural Council has reaffirmed its commitment to preserving our cultural heritage and providing enriching experiences for the community.
The American Heritage Museum has opened the permanent exhibit as of February 12, 2023 as part of 50th Anniversary commemorations of Operation Homecoming, the return of POWs in 1973. The matching grant allows the American Heritage Museum to complete the construction funding that allowed the museum to open the exhibit in record time. This significant exhibit further solidifies the museum’s standing as a premier cultural institution, attracting visitors from across the nation and abroad.
For more information about the American Heritage Museum and its programs, please visit www.AmericanHeritageMuseum.org.
About the American Heritage Museum:
The American Heritage Museum, located in Hudson, Massachusetts, is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the United States. With an extensive collection of military vehicles, artifacts, and immersive exhibits, the museum aims to educate, inspire, and honor the courage and sacrifices of those who have served in our nation’s military.
Media Contact:
Hunter Chaney
Director of Marketing and Communications
American Heritage Museum
Phone: (978) 562-9182
Email: hunter@americanheritagemuseum.org
