Up Close & Personal with the M18 Hellcat | 360° WWII Tank Destroyer Tour
Welcome to *Up Close & Personal* - a new series where we'll be exploring some of the most iconic military vehicles of WWII and beyond as you've never seen th...Speaker Series: How To Research WWII Veterans - The American Heritage Museum
Autumn Hendrickson, who has spent the last four and a half years working on a project to tell the stories of the men and women from Reading & North Reading, Massachusetts that served in World War II, ...- This event has passed.
WWII Tank Demonstration Weekend – Memorial Day
May 25 @ 9:00 am, ending May 26 @ 5:00 pm
$20 – $30NOTE: EVENT ADMISSION INCLUDES ADMISSION TO MUSEUM
Our WWII Tank Demonstration Weekend on Memorial Day Weekend is where you can see some of the American Heritage Museum’s tanks including the M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, M5 Stuart, M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer, and more! Captivating historical narration will bring these amazing machines to life.
Gates open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm each day. Tank driving demonstrations are ongoing through the entire day with at least 1-2 or more tanks driving on the operation grounds. Don’t miss the WWII Parade of Armor taking place at 11:00am and 2:00pm featuring all the tanks on display with historical narration. WWII re-enactor camps such as the 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Able Company will be here with displays and exhibitions through the weekend.
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.
Special to Saturday, May 25th – Professional photographer Jason Kennedy from Bay State Images will be offering portrait shots for veterans. This is a great opportunity to give a professionally rendered photo to your friends or family.
There is over 100,000 square feet of space within the American Heritage Museum and Hangar combined.
Picnics are allowed.
Event Schedule
9:00am – 5:00pm
Gates Open – All museum buildings open to visitors.
9:30am – 4:30pm
Re-enactor encampments open to all visitors.
9:30am – 4:30pm – Saturday Only
Free Veteran Photos by Jason Kennedy, Bay State Images – Aircraft Hangar
Bay State Images will be offering portrait shots for veterans of all eras. This is a great opportunity to give a professionally rendered photo to your friends or family.
10:00am – 4:00pm
War Gaming Demonstrations – American Heritage Museum
Guides will be demonstrating tabletop strategy war gaming in the American Heritage Museum through the day, explaining how games are played and how you can get a start in this unique hobby.
10:00am – 4:00pm
Paint-A-Tank – In Front of American Heritage Museum
For kids of all ages – come to the Paint-a-Tank tent in front of the museum to get a 3D printed tank to paint in the battle colors YOU choose! $5 donation per tank.
11:00am – 11:45am
World War II Parade of Armor – Driving Grounds
All World War II tanks in operation on the Tank Driving Grounds with narration by our resident historians and our invited World War II veteran guests. Includes the M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, M5 Stuart, and M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer.
2:00pm – 2:45am
World War II Parade of Armor – Driving Grounds
Our second presentation of the day with a similar schedule to the 11:00am program.
5:00pm
All museum grounds and buildings close for the day.
Event Weekend Map – Click for full size PDF
Event Day Admission Tickets
Admission for the Saturday and Sunday events are as follows:
$30 Adults | $25 Seniors/Veterans | $20 Children 3 to 16 years old
Members, WWII/Korean War Veterans and Children Under 3 are Free – No ticket required. Admission discounts can not be used for special event weekends.
*EVENT ADMISSION INCLUDES ADMISSION TO AMERICAN HERITAGE MUSEUM
Buy Tickets Online Today!
Tickets may also be purchased the day of the event by Credit Card or Cash at the entry gate on the access road as well.
Admission for AHM / CF Members
This is a Members Free Event Weekend: one (1) free admission per day for Individual and Participating Members, two (2) free admissions per day for Dual Members, and two (2) adult and two (2) child free admissions per day for Family Members. No advance ticket purchase required, just bring your VALID membership card or recent membership receipt to the entry gate for proof. You may buy tickets online or at the gate for any additional people in your party.
Tank Driving Experiences and Tank Rides Available
Tank Driving experiences and Tank & Half Track Rides will be taking place over the weekend. You can register online, by phone, or on-site, but spaces are limited!
Tank Ride Experience Prices:
– M36 Jackson (10 minute ride) – $195 per person – Maximum of five (5) riders per trip (four in turret, one in bow gunner position. Click here to book.
– M24 Chaffee (10 minute ride) – $595 per group of Three (3) persons – two in the turret, one in the bow gunner position. Click here to book.
– M4 Sherman (10 minute ride) – $595 per group of Two (2) persons – one in the turret, one in the bow gunner position. Click here to book.
Tank Driving Experience Prices:
– M24 Chaffee Light Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $995.00 donation (tax deductible) Click here to book.
– M4 Sherman Medium Tank (20 minutes driving the tank) – $1495.00 donation (tax deductible) Click here to book.
Schedule your tank driving or ride experience above or call 978-562-9182 to reserve.