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
May 2025
WWII Tank Demonstration Weekend – Memorial Day Weekend
$20 – $30
NOTE: 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…
Find out more »June 2025
Tanks, Wings & Wheels Father’s Day Weekend – Featuring American Elegance
$20 – $30
NOTE: EVENT ADMISSION INCLUDES ADMISSION TO MUSEUM A fantastic Father's Day weekend event! Many of the American Heritage Museum's astounding classic automobiles will be out in the sunshine in a grandiose automobile presentation at 1:00pm daily called American Elegance. Accompanying colorful vintage radio broadcast narration will be sure to entertain! Several other exhibitions and surprises will be afoot. Historic aircraft and tanks will be on display. The American Heritage Museum will be open along with the two additional annex buildings…
Find out more »July 2025
WWII in the Pacific Re-Enactment Weekend – Saipan Campaign
$20 – $30
Infantry representing Japanese and American forces will clash in this extraordinary living history event. Camps will be set up with authentic gear and appearance. WWII aircraft will fly in the battle (weather permitting). The Saipan campaign, a pivotal and fiercely contested battle in World War II, unfolded from June 15 to July 9, 1944, as part of the larger Pacific island-hopping strategy employed by Allied forces. Located in the Mariana Islands, Saipan held strategic significance due to its airfields, enabling…
Find out more »August 2025
WWII Tank Demonstration Weekend – August 2025
$20 – $30
A fantastic weekend where you can see some of the American Heritage Museum's tanks including the M4 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, M36 Jackson, and several M5 Stuart tanks as well as other privately owned military vehicles operating on our tank driving grounds behind the museum. Gates open at 9:00am and close at 5:00pm each day. The daily Parade of Tanks will occur at both 11am and 2pm each day. Tank driving will be ongoing with at least 1-2 or more tanks…
Find out more »October 2025
Battle for the Airfield WWII Re-Enactment Weekend
$25 – $40
EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE The American Heritage Museum presents the Battle for the Airfield World War II Re-Enactment, one of the premier events of its type in the United States! There will be over 350+ re-enactors representing several branches of Allied and Axis military participating in encampments and two battles each day. Fully restored military equipment of all kinds will be on display and operating in a captivating living history event. Allied and Axis camps will be set up…
Find out more »
