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
The American Heritage Museum is pleased to announce the launch of our first BSA Merit Badge Program for Scouting America for the American Heritage Merit Badge. Learn More at: bit.ly/43DVnDd![]()
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Every Scout swears to an oath that includes duty to their country. The American Heritage Merit Badge encourages a better understanding of American heritage, learn the ways in which the past has lead to our present nation, and truly knowing what it means to be an American.![]()
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The American Heritage Merit Badge at the American Heritage Museum is a three-hour long program, which includes museum admission and a guided tour for scouts and leaders. By the end of the program (prerequisites required) the scout will have completed all requirements to earn the merit badge. The program is conducted by a registered BSA Merit Badge Councilor. A minimum of 10 scouts and 2 BSA registered adults is required per session and adults may be asked to assist.![]()
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The program cost is $40 per Scout and BSA registered adults are free. To learn more about the program and to schedule, see: bit.ly/43DVnDd
- This event has passed.
Battle of the Bulge History Experience Weekend
December 28, 2024 @ 10:00 am, ending December 29, 2024 @ 4:00 pm
$20 – $40
Join us on December 28th and 29th for the Battle of the Bulge Commemorative Weekend at the American Heritage Museum to honor the 80th Anniversary of the German offensive siege that surrounded and cut-off the Allies in the Ardennes region of Europe during the Winter of 1944/1945.
Over 40 re-enactors of the 101st Airborne and other Allied forces will be entrenched in our woods, encircled by over 40 German re-enactors in opposing positions, recreating the dire weeks of uncertainty that took place eight decades ago before the Allies were able to push forward. You’ll experience what it would have felt like to be stranded in the cold forests like soldiers in 1944.*
Frequently Asked Question: Is this a battle re-enactment?
Answer: No, this is an encampment and living history experience only.
There are no battles or skirmishes for this event.
Admission to the American Heritage Museum is Included in Your Event Ticket
Your ticket to the history experience weekend includes admission to the world-famous, American Heritage Museum, featuring over 67,000 square feet of climate-controlled display space highlighting vehicles, tanks, aircraft and artifacts from World War I through the modern era!
Your Transportation Back 80 Years is a Real WWII Military Vehicle!
Adding to the experience of going back in time, all guests will be shuttled from the museum to the encampments and back on a 1943 vintage M3 Half Track or 1943 Dodge Command Car, like ones used by soldiers at that time.* This experience alone is worth the ticket as WWII half-track rides are traditionally $30 per person.
Food & Beverage Available This Weekend!
The Kith & Kin Food Truck will be operating a “Pop Up” canteen in the Museum over the weekend from 11am to 3pm daily for our visitors. Grab a quite bite for lunch or warm up with a hot beverage! Take a look at their menu offerings at this link!
Advance Sale Discount Tickets Available
Save by purchasing your combo tickets online before the event weekend. Tickets include museum admission and the Battle of the Bulge History Experience.
Adult – $40.00 ($48 on the day of the event)
Senior (62+) – $36.00 ($40 on the day of the event)
Veterans/Military – $36.00 ($40 on the day of the event)
Children 16 & Under – $20.00 ($27 on the day of the event)
Battle of the Bulge History Experience Pricing on Event Day
If you already have admission tickets for the American Heritage Museum and wish to buy tickets for the Battle of the Bulge History Experience only on the day of the event, they will be available for $25 Adults / $20 Seniors & Veterans / $15 Children Under 16. Tickets are not available for the history experience only without admission to the museum.
American Heritage Museum Members get $5 off Event Day Experience Tickets
If you are a current member, you get $5 off the event day pricing in the paragraph above when you use your membership for free museum admission.
Standard museum admission is available on the event weekend if visitors choose not to participate in the history experience.
The American Heritage Museum will be open each day until 5:00pm but the last ride from the encampments will be at 4:00pm each day as the camps will close at sunset each day – please plan accordingly.
*Please note: Participants should be physically fit enough to board and disembark a 1943 vintage military vehicle without assistance or accommodation. Due to the rough nature of the encampment zone and the potential for cold & inclement weather, we do not recommend the experience for guests in poor health, with mobility or circulation issues, and children under the age of 3.
