Today we celebrate the birthday of Harriet Quimby, one of America’s great aviation pioneers. Born on May 11, 1875, Quimby became the first American woman to earn a pilot’s license in 1911 and quickly captured national attention with her skill, courage, and unmistakable purple flying suit.![]()
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In 1912, she made history again as the first woman to fly solo across the English Channel, piloting a Blériot XI, the same type of early aircraft now on display in the American Heritage Museum’s annex hangar. Her achievement came just years after the dawn of powered flight and helped inspire generations of women in aviation.![]()
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The included photo shows Connie Tobias, pilot and Harriet Quimby re-enactor, flying the AHM Blériot 20 years ago, bringing Quimby’s remarkable legacy back to life.![]()
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#HarrietQuimby #AviationHistory #WomenInAviation #AmericanHeritageMuseum #BleriotXI #LivingHistory
On this day in 1940, Germany launched its invasion of Western Europe. Aircraft, tanks, motorized units, and communications helped change the pace of warfare in the opening phase of the Battle of France. The American Heritage Museum has several notable artifacts on display related to the Battle of France including the German Panzer 1 tank and the British Matilda Mk.II. Additionally, the museum is currently restoring an original German Junkers Ju 87D-5 Stuka in the Czech Republic and a German Heinkel He 111H-3 bomber in Florida for eventual display - both key aircraft used by Germany in its Blitzkrieg tactics. Learn more about the Battle of France by visiting us today!
On this day in 1945, Victory in Europe Day marked the end of World War II in Europe. For millions, it meant liberation, relief, grief, and the beginning of rebuilding after years of destruction. The American Heritage Museum has one of the largest collections of tanks, military vehicles, and artifacts from the European Campaign and we invite you to come and explore more!
🎉 The new American Heritage Museum Online Gift Shop is here!![]()
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Shop exclusive AHM gear, museum favorites, gifts, collectibles, apparel, and more, with additional products being added throughout the summer.![]()
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To celebrate the launch, enjoy 10% off your order now through May 15th with promo code FIRSTIES.![]()
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Start shopping here: ahmgiftshop.org ![]()
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Great for Father’s Day, graduation gifts, or treating yourself to something with a little history behind it!
American Heritage Museum Online Gift Shop
ahmgiftshop.org
Shop the American Heritage Museum online gift shop for exclusive apparel, collectibles, books, gifts, and museum-inspired merchandise. Find unique items for history enthusiasts, veterans, families, Fa...
Link at: ahmus.me/2026uffsymrecap![]()
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The American Heritage Museum recently hosted an incredible three-day symposium in partnership with the Ukrainian Freedom Fund, bringing together Ukrainian defenders, U.S. military leaders, technology experts, civilian witnesses, and museum visitors for a powerful look at the future of modern warfare.![]()
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Held April 23–25, 2026, the event welcomed more than 100 professionals and distinguished guests, along with nearly 800 general museum guests during the two public days. Visitors heard firsthand from those living through and studying the war in Ukraine, with discussions on drones, electronic warfare, modern combat, military training, and what these lessons mean for the U.S. and allied defense planning.![]()
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Guests were also able to take part in hands-on drone flight simulation demonstrations, helping bring the realities of today’s battlefield to life.![]()
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We are grateful to the Ukrainian Freedom Fund, all of the speakers, volunteers, guests, and everyone who helped make this important event such a success.![]()
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Read the full recap and watch the recorded public sessions at the link in the comments.
- This event has passed.
Speaker Series: 11B10-Memories of a Light Weapons Infantryman in Vietnam. By author John Magnarelli
February 17, 2023 @ 2:00 pm, ending 3:00 pm
$10 – $20
Mr. Magnarelli will talk about his experiences as a young soldier in the Vietnam War and the processes he went through in writing his captivating book.
11B10 is a memoir on what Army life was like from boot camp through combat through the eyes of a young man just out of high school. Without glorification or exaggeration it reflects the experience of the author’s time in the service specifically his year as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division and 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam. It is written in a way that veterans will relate, but also for non-veterans to understand what veterans went through. It is an emotional journey sprinkled with some necessary humor and even has the words from actual letters that were written home.
About the author:
John Magnarelli grew up in North Quincy, MA and was drafted into the Army on August 12, 1968. After his tour of duty in the Army he went on to receive a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Suffolk University in Boston. He had a 36 year career with the US Department of Agriculture, and for his last 27 years was the Regional Director overseeing the National School Lunch Program and nine other feeding programs for the six New England States and the state of New York. In addition to his professional career he was a high school football referee for 46 years, elected to two terms to the Duxbury, MA school committee and for the last 10 years has been the Adjutant General for the Duxbury American Legion Post 223. John and his wife Pam now reside in Plymouth. MA.
