Hello all good people! The American Heritage Museum will be open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 20th, 10am to 5pm. We are looking forward to seeing you soon.
The American Heritage Museum is excited to announce the launch of a new restoration project aimed at restoring a rare and historically significant piece of original World War II armor: the Type 97 Tankette “Te Ke,” used by the Imperial Japanese Army.![]()
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Read the full article at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2025/01/rare-japanese-type-97-tankette-te-ke-restoration-project-b...![]()
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The Type 97 Tankette was a light armored vehicle developed and employed by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Introduced in 1938, the Te-Ke was designed as a reconnaissance and infantry support vehicle, embodying Japan’s focus on lightweight, mobile forces. ![]()
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The Type 97 Tankette was powered by a 65 horsepower, inline 4-cylinder diesel engine, giving it a top speed of around 26 mph. It featured a two-man crew: a driver and a gunner/commander. Armament included either a 37 mm Type 94 tank gun or a 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun, making it effective against lightly fortified positions and infantry but inadequate against heavier tanks.![]()
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Our particular project vehicle has been determined to be a variant of the Te-Ke that was specifically designed as a gas scattering vehicle to either deploy chemical agents such as mustard gas or other chemical agents offensively or similarly scatter agents to counter poison gasses defensively. Vehicles in this role carried their scattering agents in a towed tracked trailer and though we do not have one of these trailers, we are actively looking for one to add to the restoration.![]()
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The rare Type 97 Tankette will be restored at the American Heritage Museum by our restoration team over the next 3-4 years and will include a full overhaul of the original and rare Ikegai air-cooled diesel engine that is part of the project. We intend to restore it to operational configuration as a running tank and it will eventually become part of an enhanced exhibit documenting the years leading up to World War II. The restoration team is seeking any technical materials, drawings, or documentation of the Type 97 Tankette type – so if you have any resources to assist, please email us at admin@americanheritagemuseum.org
A huge THANK YOU to our hardy re-enactors, dedicated volunteers, and enthusiastic guests for braving the cold and muddy conditions this past weekend for the Battle of the Bulge History Experience! This was our first cold weather outdoor experience and we were happy to welcome so many visitors who took part, deploying in the M3 Half Tracks to our slice of the Ardennes Forest! Please enjoy a selection of photos from Warren Disbrow and Roland Brooks from the weekend! Let us know if you think we should plan another in 2025! #AmericanHeritageMuseum #battleofthebulge #tanklife #WWII #worldwar2 #WorldWarII #WorldWarIIHistory #1944 #visitma #hudsonma
Looking for an adventure with the kids during school break? Come visit us at the American Heritage Museum! We are open today (Monday 12/30) and tomorrow (Tuesday 12/31), 10am to 5pm. Fun activities and Jim will have the game board set up.
Great time to bring friends and family to the American Heritage Museum. Battle of the Bulge Weekend continues through Sunday and the museum will be open this Monday and Tuesday. Happy New Year to all!
School Tours and Lesson Plans
SCHEDULING YOUR SCHOOL GROUP
The American Heritage Museum is open for school group tours Wednesday through Sunday. School tour reservations can be made up to one year in advance and should be made at least two weeks in advance if you would like a docent / tour guide during your visitation. Please plan between 2 to 3 hours for your visit.
Please fill out this short form if you are planning to start the reservation process or have questions (click on link below):
School / Student Group Tours – Includes Schools, Home Schools, Colleges, etc.
PAYMENT
The education rate is $8 per student and $15 per chaperone. The American Heritage Museum accepts credit cards, company checks and cash. We do not provide direct billing or receive purchase orders for payment. Deposits are not required. Tickets must be purchased together as a single transaction.
PARKING
Buses may unload in front of the American Heritage Museum at the entry vestibule on the North side of the building off the access road entering from 568 Main Street. Bus parking is allowed on the West side of the museum building.
For more information about group tours, contact groupsales@collingsfoundation.org or 978-562-9182.
LESSON PLANS:
You are welcome to utilize any of these lesson plans as stand-alone activities or during your field trip. Click on title to download PDF:
American Heritage Museum Scavenger Hunt
The Rise of Fascism and Beginnings of WWII
Arsenal of Democracy – Homefront War Effort
WWII Normandy Landings / D-Day
Clash of Steel – Major WWII tank battles between Russia and Germany
Allied Forces Crossing the Rhine River
WWII Battle for Berlin – Defense of the Reich
