The American Heritage Museum is open today! Celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Open 10am to 5pm.
Hello all good people! The American Heritage Museum will be open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Monday, January 20th, 10am to 5pm. We are looking forward to seeing you soon.
The American Heritage Museum is excited to announce the launch of a new restoration project aimed at restoring a rare and historically significant piece of original World War II armor: the Type 97 Tankette “Te Ke,” used by the Imperial Japanese Army.![]()
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Read the full article at: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/2025/01/rare-japanese-type-97-tankette-te-ke-restoration-project-b...![]()
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The Type 97 Tankette was a light armored vehicle developed and employed by the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II. Introduced in 1938, the Te-Ke was designed as a reconnaissance and infantry support vehicle, embodying Japan’s focus on lightweight, mobile forces. ![]()
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The Type 97 Tankette was powered by a 65 horsepower, inline 4-cylinder diesel engine, giving it a top speed of around 26 mph. It featured a two-man crew: a driver and a gunner/commander. Armament included either a 37 mm Type 94 tank gun or a 7.7 mm Type 97 machine gun, making it effective against lightly fortified positions and infantry but inadequate against heavier tanks.![]()
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Our particular project vehicle has been determined to be a variant of the Te-Ke that was specifically designed as a gas scattering vehicle to either deploy chemical agents such as mustard gas or other chemical agents offensively or similarly scatter agents to counter poison gasses defensively. Vehicles in this role carried their scattering agents in a towed tracked trailer and though we do not have one of these trailers, we are actively looking for one to add to the restoration.![]()
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The rare Type 97 Tankette will be restored at the American Heritage Museum by our restoration team over the next 3-4 years and will include a full overhaul of the original and rare Ikegai air-cooled diesel engine that is part of the project. We intend to restore it to operational configuration as a running tank and it will eventually become part of an enhanced exhibit documenting the years leading up to World War II. The restoration team is seeking any technical materials, drawings, or documentation of the Type 97 Tankette type – so if you have any resources to assist, please email us at admin@americanheritagemuseum.org
A huge THANK YOU to our hardy re-enactors, dedicated volunteers, and enthusiastic guests for braving the cold and muddy conditions this past weekend for the Battle of the Bulge History Experience! This was our first cold weather outdoor experience and we were happy to welcome so many visitors who took part, deploying in the M3 Half Tracks to our slice of the Ardennes Forest! Please enjoy a selection of photos from Warren Disbrow and Roland Brooks from the weekend! Let us know if you think we should plan another in 2025! #AmericanHeritageMuseum #battleofthebulge #tanklife #WWII #worldwar2 #WorldWarII #WorldWarIIHistory #1944 #visitma #hudsonma
Looking for an adventure with the kids during school break? Come visit us at the American Heritage Museum! We are open today (Monday 12/30) and tomorrow (Tuesday 12/31), 10am to 5pm. Fun activities and Jim will have the game board set up.
American Heritage Museum Lifetime Membership
Experience the heroic stories and courageous acts of the brave men and women who have served our country with our Lifetime Membership Program for the American Heritage Museum!
Our Lifetime Membership Program is the perfect way to honor those who have served and gain a deeper understanding of military history – both in America and throughout the world. With unlimited access for you and your family to our extensive collection of artifacts, exhibits, and interactive displays, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the triumphs and sacrifices of those who have served from the Revolutionary War through today.
As a lifetime member, you’ll have access to exclusive events, such as private tours of our collections, special lectures by historians and authors, and behind-the-scenes looks at our latest exhibits. You’ll also receive VIP treatment, with priority access to tickets, and invitations to member-only events.
But that’s not all – our lifetime membership also comes with perks like discounted tank driving or ride experiences and discounts on museum merchandise. Also included are two (2) experience certificates for a WWII Tank Ride Experience on either the M24 Chaffee, M4 Sherman, or M36 Jackson.
By joining our lifetime membership program, you’ll become a part of a community of living history enthusiasts who share your love for the past and a desire to learn and explore. Whether you’re a veteran, a history buff, or just someone who wants to honor those who have served, our lifetime membership program is the perfect way to support the preservation and celebration of our American heritage!
Join us today! Click on this link to enroll online or call us at 978-562-9182 and speak with Ryan Keough, Director of Development (rkeough@collingsfoundation.org).
Summary of Lifetime Membership Benefits
Unlimited Free General Admission to Lifetime Member and Family/Guests
Up to six (6) persons per visit – but more can be requested.
Free Admission to all Summer Special Event Weekends including Battle for the Airfield WWII Re-Enactment for Lifetime Member and Family/Guests – Up to six (6) persons.
Certificate for Two (2) Complimentary Tank Ride Experiences and 10% discount on all future Tank/Armor experiences (rides/drives).
Special Access to Advanced Member exclusive events and experiences such as “inside the hatch” tank tours, cockpit tours, and VIP tours.
Recognition on the American Heritage Museum Donor Wall (Coming Summer 2024).
Recognition in the American Heritage Museum Annual Magazine.
All benefits of membership including member cards, subscription to all museum publications, and 10% discount at the AHM Gift Shop.
American Heritage Museum Lifetime Members
| Anonymous Donors Mr. Robert A. Bartlett Mr. John W. Bassick Mr. Robert and Mrs. Janet Baylis Mr. Dana M. Beach Mr. Curtis D. Burton Carlson Family Trust Mr. Kevin Chapman Mr. Frank Cooke Mr. Roy Cotta Mr. Billy Crowe Mr. Steve J. Demeo Mr. Charles Deuser Mr. John L. DiVincenzo Mr. Ryan Donovan Mr. Daniel M. Ervin Ms. Kristin Everett Mr. Steven Fitzsimmons Mr. Michael Forte Mr. Michael Gentuso Mr. Robert D. Gilligan Mr. Stephen Gladstone Ms. Julianne Glowacki Mr. Edward J. Hamer Mr. Rod A. Hendrick Mr. Scott A. Hindley Mr. Stephen B. Jeffries Mr. Mark T. Kacprowicz Mr. Glenn D. King Mr. Christopher Knorr Mr. Rich Magnotti Mr. Paul Messina |
Mr. Kenneth J. Mooney Mr. Steven R. Murray Mr. Mark Muto Mr. William Neal Northeast Industrial Technologies, Inc. Mr. Joe and Mrs. Lori Osentoski Mr. Wally Owens Mr. Earle M. Palmer Mr. John F. Penders Mr. Paul Petry Mr. Larry Polhill Mr. Joseph Reinsch Lt. Gen. L. Scott and Dr. Nancy Rice Mr. Sean Rogers Mr. Robert C. Rooke Dr. Alberto Savoretti Mr. William Shanley Mr. Ed and Mrs. Dorrinda Shea Ms. Venita Shirley Mr. John S. Smith Mr. Richard C. Smith Mr. Robert G. Smith Mr. Vernon T. Squires Mr. Robert E. Stack Ms. Elizabeth Steese Mr. Chuck Thornburg Toeniskoetter Family Foundation Mr. Pierre Trepagnier Mr. Don Venterosa Mr. Daniel C. Verdier Mr. Peter J. White Mr. Dan Wrightington |
