Coming up on Thursday, May 15th from 6:00pm to 8:30pm is our new History After Hours program. Our speaker for May is Jim Busha, author of "Bazooka Charlie: The Unbelievable Story of Major Charles Carpenter and Rosie the Rocketer". Busha will be speaking about how Carpenter transformed an un-armed observation airplane into one of the most effective tank-killers of WWII - a real "David vs. Goliath" story. The actual aircraft used by Carpenter will be on display as well! $20 non-members, free for AHM members with promo code (email or message for details).
History After Hours: May 15, 2025 - Maj. Charles Carpenter & "Rosie the Rocketer" with Jim Busha
www.americanheritagemuseum.org
Learn the amazing story of Maj. Charles Carpenter and his innovative strategy to take an L-4 Grasshopper observation aircraft and make it into a tank killer. A true "David & Goliath" story from World ...
Don't miss the special Speaker Series presentation by author Andrew Lawler tomorrow, Saturday, April 12th, 1pm to 2:30pm, here at the American Heritage Museum. He will discuss his book 'A Perfect Frenzy' which offers a striking new perspective on the American Revolution that reorients our understanding of its causes, highlights the radically different motivations between patriots in the North and South, and reveals the seeds of the nation’s racial divide. More information see: www.americanheritagemuseum.org/event/speaker-series-a-perfect-frenzy-by-author-andrew-lawler/
What is your favorite tank gun caliber and why?![]()
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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, a tank enthusiast, or just curious—we want to hear your thoughts! Leave a comment below to cast your vote! 👇
Here is this week’s challenge for “What is it Wednesday?” - What is it?! ![]()
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Thanks to everyone who played last week… the answer for April 2nd is a handwheel from a machinist's lathe… see the previous post for the full details!![]()
Good luck on this week’s challenge! ![]()
#americanheritagemuseum #historymuseum #visitma
Today, April 9th 2025, the American Heritage Museum honors National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day. ![]()
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April 9th was chosen as a day of remembrance because it marks the anniversary of the Bataan Death March in 1942. During this harrowing event, the Imperial Japanese Army forced between 60,000 and 80,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war to march 65 miles over eight grueling days. Along the way, prisoners were starved, beaten, and tortured—thousands lost their lives.![]()
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At the museum, one way we honor the sacrifices of POWs is through our Hanoi Hilton exhibit. This powerful experience offers a glimpse into the minds of American prisoners of war in Vietnam through firsthand testimonies. It sheds light on the harsh realities and atrocities endured in prisons like the Hanoi Hilton.![]()
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We invite you to take a moment today to reflect on the courage and sacrifices made by POWs throughout history. To those who endured unimaginable hardship in service to our country—we thank you.![]()
#AmericanHeritageMuseum #prisonerofwar #powmia
Take a Ride Aboard the Famous Light Tank That Spanned Two Wars
The American Heritage Museum is proud to offer tank ride opportunities in the Spring, Summer, and Fall aboard the M24 Chaffee light tank used in World War II and the Korean War. The M24 Chaffee is a fast and maneuverable tank that replaced the M5 Stuart light tank during WWII and brought the harder hitting 75mm M6 cannon to the battlefield.
Tank rides on the M24 Chaffee are a donation of $595.00 for three (3) persons aboard the tank. One seat is in the hull gunner position and two standing positions are in the turret. The ride experience is 10 minutes on the tank driving grounds at the American Heritage Museum.
Ride experiences are being offered in the afternoons of select weekends. Please click the button below for schedules and online booking. Please feel free to call us at 978-562-9182 with any questions.
For safety, all participants must be at least 5′ tall to ride. Children under the age of 14 should be accompanied by an adult on rides if they meet the height requirement.Â
Gift Certificates Available
Looking to give a tank ride as a gift? We have presentation gift certificates available for gift giving to the tank enthusiast in your family! Tank Ride Gift Certificates are open ended and allow the recipient to schedule their own ride experience. Click here to learn more about and purchase an M24 Tank Ride Gift Certificate at this link.
Don’t Just Ride – DRIVE the M24 Chaffee!
Feel like doing something even more exciting? Learn to DRIVE the M24 Chaffee as part of our Tank Driving Experience Program, a one hour training and driving experience that allows you to take the controls for 20 minutes on our tank track! – Click Here to Learn more!
History of the M24 Chaffee
Seeking to replace the aging M3 and M5 Stuart series of light tanks, the U.S. Army Ordnance Department and Cadillac joined forces to create a new light tank. The new T24 pilot vehicle was delivered in October 1943 and full scale production began in 1944 as the Light Tank, M24. The Chaffee retained the M5 Stuart’s twin Cadillac V-8 powertrain, but came armed with a lightened 75mm Cannon adapted from a version used on B-25 Mitchell bombers, replacing the under whelming 37mm used on the Stuart. The Chaffee was speedy and nimble. The M24 saw use in WWII, but found a calling in the cold, mountainous environment of Korea, where it fought as a part of reconnaissance units alongside “Easy Eight” Shermans, M26 Pershings and M46 Pattons. Long after the United States replaced the M24 with newer models such as the M41 Walker-Bulldog, other countries such as Israel and France used the Chaffee well into the 1950s.
SPECIFICATIONS
Armament: 75mm M6 Cannon, one .50 cal. MG and 2x .30 cal. MGs.
Crew: 5, Commander, Gunner, Driver, Loader, Co-Driver
Engine: Cadillac Series 44T24, 220 horsepower.
Range: 100 miles
