The answer to the “What is it? Wednesday” question from July 2nd is the drivers hatch release handle inside of our M5A1 Stuart!![]()
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Stay tuned for the next “What is it? Wednesday” question tomorrow, July 9th at 10:00 am EST!![]()
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#americanheritagemuseum #whatisitwednesday
At the AHM this weekend! WWII Pacific War Re-enactment – Battle of Okinawa, July 12th & 13th, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM![]()
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The American Heritage Museum will host a WWII Pacific Theater re-enactment. 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).![]()
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The Battle of Okinawa, fought from April to June 1945, was the largest and bloodiest battle of the Pacific Theater in World War II. The intense combat was marked by kamikaze attacks, brutal ground fighting, and high civilian casualties. The battle was the fiercest in the Pacific Theater, with some 50,000 Allied and 100,000 Japanese casualties, not including the local Okinawans who were conscripted into the Japanese Army. It is estimated that over 149,000 Okinawan people were killed. The Allied victory at Okinawa provided a critical staging ground for a potential invasion of mainland Japan, but the staggering loss of life and the fierce Japanese resistance significantly influenced the U.S. decision to use atomic bombs to end the war swiftly. Okinawa underscored the heavy cost of victory in the Pacific and hastened the final chapter of the war. Pacific war camps and aircraft will be set up and on display throughout the day. The battle re-enactment starts around 1 PM.![]()
For tickets see: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/wwii-pacific-re-enactment-saipan-campaign-2025/
Starting at 1pm at the AHM: Author George Hayward will talk about his book The Party Dolls. He delves into a dramatic and morally charged episode from the Vietnam War: the daring 1969 escape attempt—code-named “The Party”—by U.S. Air Force Captains John Dramesi and Ed Atterberry from Hanoi’s notorious Annex prison camp.
Start your 4th of July celebrations with a visit to the American Heritage Museum! We will be open July 4th from 10am to 5pm.
What is your favorite military car of all time?![]()
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Join the conversation and share your thoughts! 💭 Each week, We're posing a question about historical military vehicles, and we want YOU to weigh in. Whether you’re a history buff, or just curious—we want to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below to cast your vote! 👇![]()
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#QuestionOfTheWeek
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.
