On this week 90 years ago: The Consolidated PBY Catalina flew for the very first time on March 21, 1935!![]()
![]()
An icon of WWII, the PBY was the ultimate patrol and rescue flying boat—tracking U-boats, saving lives, and covering vast oceans with unmatched endurance.![]()
![]()
One of those heroes, PBY-5A BuNo 2459, flew in the Battle of the Atlantic, scored 3.5 U-Boat victories, and survived. Now, it’s under restoration to flying condition in Florida and will eventually be displayed at the American Heritage Museum. Read more at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/aircrafts/consolidated-pby-catalina/![]()
![]()
#OTD #PBYCatalina #WWIIHistory #FlyingBoat #MilitaryAviation #AmericanHeritageMuseum
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!![]()
![]()
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!![]()
![]()
#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. ![]()
![]()
You can read more about Col. John “Killer” Kane at: bit.ly/4iVKYaq![]()
![]()
#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!”![]()
![]()
Read our full article about today's importance at: bit.ly/4hDJaly![]()
![]()
#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. ![]()
![]()
Please share your questions in the comments. ![]()
![]()
Photo of WWII B-24 pilot Frank Tedesco (1921-2020), 451st BG and friend of the Collings Foundation via Emily Clark - Wicked Local (2013)![]()
![]()
#WWII #veterans #WWIIveteran #veteranlife #AmericanHeritageMuseum
- This event has passed.
Holocaust Remembrance Day Special Ceremony
January 27 @ 12:00 pm, ending 2:00 pm
Free
On Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27th, the American Heritage Museum will commemorate the induction of a special film that will be shown from inside a WWII railcar from the Deutsche Reichsbahn. The purpose is to provide visitors with a direct connection into the terrors of the Holocaust and how Nazi Germany’s anti-Semitism led inexorably to genocide.
We are solemnly inviting you to participate in the dedication program which will include the reciting of the Kaddish, lighting memorial candles, and remembrance of the Holocaust and the people who perished during this horrible time. The dedication ceremony will start at 1:00pm and last roughly a half hour. The Museum will be open and free to attend from 12:00pm to 2:00pm.
We believe this exhibit will serve as a powerful symbol that connects visitors with the stark reality of the Holocaust. Standing before this relic, one can imagine the unimaginable – the inhuman conditions, the fear, the uncertainty, and the sheer terror that innocent men, women, and children endured as they were transported to the death camps. The rail car and film are a tangible reminders of the suffering and dehumanization inflicted upon millions.
Additionally, going forward, the rail car will serve as a focal point for discussions about bystander apathy, collaboration, and the moral responsibilities of individuals and institutions when hatred is left unchecked.
If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by email at this link to admin@americanheritagemuseum.org – thank you.
