Bob Tyce and the Attack on Pearl Harbor![]()
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#AmericanHeritageMuseum #VisitMA #militaryhistory #historymuseum #WWII #ww2 #WorldWarII #worldwar2 #army #tanks #worldoftanks #tanknerd #PearlHarbor #neverforget
As part of our commitment to community engagement, the American Heritage Museum will offer free admission to all residents of Hudson and Stow this weekend - December 6th and 7th. Hope you can make it!
Today, December 4th, 2025, marks the 75th anniversary of Captain Thomas J. Hudner Jr's valiant attempt to rescue Ensign Jesse L. Brown in the Chosin Reservoir.![]()
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On December 4, 1950, Hudner, a native of Fall River, Massachusetts, and Brown, one of the first African-American U.S. naval aviators, were part of a flight of F4U Corsair fighter planes tasked with supporting U.S. Marine ground forces in Korea. During their mission, Ensign Brown's aircraft was struck by small arms fire, forcing him to crash-land in the Chosin Reservoir.![]()
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Shortly after, Captain Hudner intentionally crash landed his own airplane in the reservoir and rushed to Brown's crash site to try and rescue him. Upon arriving at the now burning wreck, he found that Brown's legs were pinned in the cockpit. A rescue helicopter arrived shortly after and Hudner, accompanied by the pilot, tried for 45 minutes to free Brown to no avail. ![]()
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Ensign Brown passed away shortly after from blood loss and exposure to extreme cold, and Hudner was forced to leave his body and evacuate by helicopter.![]()
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Captain Hudner was awarded the Medal of Honor on April 13th, 1951, for his actions and met Brown's widow, Daisy, during the ceremony. The two would stay in contact for the next 50 years.![]()
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The book "Devotion: An Epic Story of Heroism, Brotherhood and Sacrifice " by Adam Makos details the entire ordeal, with a film adaptation which premiered in 2022.![]()
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Today, we remember and honor Captain Hudner and Ensign Brown for their valiant service and sacrifices made in the pursuit of freedom.
The answer to the “What is it? Wednesday” question from November 26th is the hood ornament on our 1942 Buick! This car was one of the last produced at Buick's plant in Flint, Michigan in 1942. Buick was one of many companies who, after the United States entered WWII, stopped producing civilian goods and began the production of war goods.![]()
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Stay tuned for the next “What is it? Wednesday” question tomorrow, December 3rd at 10:00 am EST!![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #whatisitwednesday
Their gift to us was freedom. On this Giving Tuesday, your gift ensures their stories are never forgotten.![]()
Give today: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/annualfund2025/![]()
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At the American Heritage Museum, every field trip, veteran visit, and living-history weekend helps a new generation understand that freedom has a real weight—and a real cost. Your Giving Tuesday donation to our 2025–2026 Annual Fund keeps the doors open, the engines running, and the stories of service and sacrifice alive.![]()
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Their gift to us was freedom. Your gift TODAY preserves their history.![]()
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Make your Giving Tuesday gift now: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/annualfund2025/![]()
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#GivingTuesday #AmericanHeritageMuseum #SupportHistory #neverforget #veterans #historymuseum
Capital Campaign 2018
Since 1979, the Collings Foundation has led the way in the creation and operation of the nation’s most engaging living history events focused on aviation, military, and transportation history. Through nationwide programs like the Wings of Freedom Tour, the Vietnam Memorial Flight, and the annual local events at our Stow, Massachusetts headquarters, we have directly impacted millions of people.
The Collings Foundation is nearing completion with one of our most ambitious projects to date – construction of the new American Heritage Museum at the Collings Foundation campus in Stow, MA. Designed to world-class museum standards, the facility displays 85 of the most historically significant military vehicles and equipment from the Jacques M. Littlefield collection in an immersive and engaging environment, bringing history alive for visitors. The 73,000 square foot facility is a major addition to our Stow, MA facility and the American Heritage Museum will host visitors from all over the world and be an educational facility that is open each week to school children, educators, researchers, and the general public.
Your Support is Needed!
Though the construction of the American Heritage Museum is moving forward at a rapid pace, there is still a lot more to be done – and we need your help.
The American Heritage Museum is designed to be different than other museums. While many museums focus on the major artifacts alone, the AHM focuses on the story of warfare as seen through the eyes of those who fought and the artifacts become the catalysts for discussion, education, and understanding. Through the hard work of our design and curatorial team, the immersive educational experience will be unique for all who visit.
Such an ambitious project comes at a cost – and your help is critical to our success!
The extensive research, design, production, and construction of the display environment requires time and capital to complete to transform the collection into the world-class vision of the American Heritage Museum. Your generosity provides the momentum needed to open the American Heritage Museum in late 2018!
How Can I Help?
The American Heritage Museum Capital Campaign is underway. As a 501c(3) non-profit educational foundation, every dollar donated to the Collings Foundation toward the AHM Capital Campaign is tax-deductible. You may make a one-time donation, or a monthly sustaining donation online at the link below:
To make a donation to the American Heritage Museum Capital Campaign, please visit the link here.
American Heritage Museum Founders Society
A variety of giving opportunities for both individuals and corporations are available to help fund the display build-out. Individuals may become members of our Founders Society to take their donation even further and receive permanent recognition, valuable benefits for experiences with the operating artifacts, and exclusive access once the museum is complete in 2018.
- Bronze Star – $2500 to $4999
- Silver Star – $5000 to $9999
- Gold Star – $10,000 to $24,999
- Platinum Star – $25,000 to $99,999
- Diamond – $100,000 to $999,999
- Medal of Honor – $1 Million and up
To become a member of the AHM Founders Society, please click here.
Naming Opportunities and Corporate Sponsorship
Corporations, foundations, or family trusts may wish to consider a naming opportunity for funding a gallery, exhibit, or theater – thus creating a lasting legacy to be seen by millions. There are a number of naming opportunities available
Just as our American citizens have stepped up to support our nation in wartime, we know that dedicated supporters like you will also step up to fulfill the need. Support our American Heritage and please donate today!
Contact Us for Information on All Opportunities
For more information on all giving opportunities, please contact Ryan Keough, Director of Donor Relations and Development at 978-562-9182 or rkeough@collingsfoundation.org. To give a donation online, please visit this link to the American Heritage Museum Capital Campaign.
Be part of our American Heritage – Give today!
Please mail checks to:
Collings Foundation
Attn: AHM Capital Fund
P.O. Box 248
Stow, MA 01775
