Here is this week’s challenge for “What is it Wednesday?” - a close up of something in the museum or our collection for you to guess what it is in the comments!![]()
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What is it?! We are looking for what it might be part of within the museum and, for more of a challenge, what the exact part is and what it does! Answer in the comments below and tune-in for the answer next Tuesday at 10:00am EST!![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #historymuseum #visitma
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 William A. “Bill” Eagleson Society
A B-24 Liberator bombardier serving with the 453rd Bomb Group in World War II, William A. “Bill” Eagleson, was one of the earliest volunteers with the Collings Foundation back in the 1980’s. When the foundation acquired the B-24 Liberator project in 1986, Bill was one of a handful of local veterans who dedicated an enormous amount of time in the restoration of the aircraft which was originally intended to be a non-flying display only. Bill understood that the legacy of the veterans who flew and fought over the skies of Europe and the Pacific would only be remembered through the preservation of the B-24 and campaigned to not only restore the aircraft, but restore it to airworthy condition so it could be brought to all corners of the United States to educate future generations about the sacrifices of our World War II veterans. He was determined to develop and support the living history programs of the Collings Foundation to keep the heritage of he and his fellow veterans alive well past his own lifetime. As a result, Bill became the first of the Dedicated Crew of the B-24 Liberator… a leadership giving level that spearheaded the restoration back to flying condition.
What he helped us to start many decades ago with the B-24 Liberator has evolved into the American Heritage Museum that you see today.
Though Bill Eagleson passed in October 2007, his spirit and dedication lives on as the American Heritage Museum grows and keeps his story, along with countless others, alive for future generations.
As a supporter of our mission, there is no doubt that you share that same desire as Bill… and we welcome you to join the society developed in his memory. The William A. Eagleson Society is a group of supporters who have made provisions for the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation through their estate planning or who support the Museum’s endowment. Society members are recognized for their dedication to our future by including the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation in their will or as a beneficiary after their passing.
Members of the William A. Eagleson Society receive recognition in the following ways:
– Listing in the Museum’s Annual Magazine & Report
– Listing on the William A. Eagleson Society wall inside the Museum and on the website
– Invitation to our annual Supporter Appreciation Luncheon
– A William A. Eagleson Society Lapel pin
How to become a member of the William A. “Bill” Eagleson Society
If you wish to become a member of the William A. “Bill” Eagleson Society, please choose from the options below. If you don’t currently have a will or trust, you can create a legally binding will for free through our partnership with FreeWill through the link below. If you already have a will or trust, you can let us know of your plans through the other link below at the right and we will contact you.
I need to create a will…If you are ready to write a will or trust, we can help through our partnership with FreeWill to create or update a will. Learn how you can support the American Heritage Museum and Collings Foundation through your will and become a member of the William A. “Bill” Eagleson Society. |
I already have a will…If you have already made or hope to make provisions in your will or trust, naming the American Heritage Museum or Collings Foundation as part of your legacy plans, please fill out the form at this link powered by FreeWill to become a a member of the William A. “Bill” Eagleson Society. |
Questions? Reach out to us.
If you have any questions about membership to the society, please contact Ryan Keough, Director of Development at rkeough@americanheritagemuseum.org or call 978-562-9182 x203.
