On this week 90 years ago: The Consolidated PBY Catalina flew for the very first time on March 21, 1935!![]()
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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.![]()
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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/![]()
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#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!![]()
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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!![]()
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#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. ![]()
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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
- This event has passed.
Race of the Century
September 11, 2021 @ 9:00 am, ending September 12, 2021 @ 5:00 pm
$15 – $25
It is back! See the amazing Collings Foundation and American Heritage Museum’s collection of early automobiles come to life in this extraordinary living history event.
Horses, bicycles, electric cars, vehicles powered by water or small explosions, all poised to solve the transportation issues of the day. The Collings Foundation and American Heritage Museum will host a most entertaining event that pits some of the greatest mobility based technological advancements against each other in Race of the Century.
During the early 1900’s transportation technologies advanced at an incredible rate. The thought of a “horseless carriage” rumbling down the path or a “flying machine” moving through the air seemed amazing. The traditional horse and buggy quickly became history with the emergence of automobiles like the 1905 Franklin to the Model T and Sprint Racers.
Gates open at 9:00am each day and close at 5:00pm. The Race of the Century begins around 1:00pm each day.
All three museums will be open: The American Heritage Museum, The Historic Aviation Hangar and Classic Automobile Barn. This is a unique opportunity to see some of the world’s most rare aircraft, extraordinary American classic automobiles, historic tanks, armored vehicles, military artifacts and much more.
The great musician Richard Hughes will play to several vintage silent movies over the day.
There is over 100,000 square feet of space within the American Heritage Museum and Hangar combined.
Food and beverage will be available for purchase on site and picnics are allowed.
Advance Sale and Event Day Admission Tickets
Admission for the Saturday and Sunday events are as follows:
$25 Adults | $20 Seniors/Veterans | $15 Children Under 12
Members, WWII/Korean War Veterans and Children Under 3 are Free – No ticket required.
Admission discounts can not be used for special event weekends.
Purchase your tickets online for faster processing through admission:
– Click here to Buy Tickets Online for Saturday, September 11, 2021
– Click here to Buy Tickets Online for Sunday, September 12, 2021
Pre purchase tickets not required! Tickets may be purchased the day of the event by Credit Card or Cash at the entry gate on the access road as well.
Tank Driving Experiences and Tank Rides Available
Tank Driving experiences and Tank Rides will be taking place over the weekend. You can register online, by phone, or on-site, but spaces are limited!
Tank Driving Experience Prices:
– M24 Chaffee Light Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $995.00 donation (tax deductible)
– M4 Sherman Medium Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $1495.00 donation (tax deductible)
Tank Ride Experience Prices:
– M24 Chaffee (10 minute ride) – $595 per group of Three (3) persons – two in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.
– M4 Sherman (10 minute ride) – $595 per group of Two (2) persons – one in the turret, one in the bow gunner position.
Schedule your tank driving or ride experience above or call 978-562-9182 to reserve.
