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At the American Heritage Museum you explore America’s conflicts, beginning with the Revolutionary War to today. You’ll discover, & interact with, our heritage through the History, the national effort developing new technologies of warfare & the Human Impact of America’s fight to preserve the freedom we all hold dear.

The American Heritage Museum is housed in a 66,000 + square foot building located at the Collings Foundation’s headquarters in Stow, Massachusetts. The concept of the American Heritage Museum began when the Foundation was selected to receive the massive collection of tanks, armoured vehicles & military artefacts from the family of Jacques M. Littlefield in 2013.

Receiving this historically important & extensive collection was a tremendous honour for the Collings Foundation. Exhibiting these artefacts in the most meaningful way possible is our goal. We designed the American Heritage Museum to fully engage people in understanding our turbulent past. In this remarkable place, American history will be explored, studied & most of all, remembered. Through educational interpretation, & a chronologically arranged series of dioramas & exhibits, the American Heritage Museum brings the history of our veterans to life.

Among the staggering variety of rare relics, the American Heritage Museum features over fifteen tanks & artefacts’ that are the only ones on public display in North America. These include: M1A1 Abrams Tank, T-34 Tank, Kommandogerrat 40 German Rangefinder, Leichter Panzerspähwagen SdKfz 222 Armored Vehicle, Matilda MK.II Tank, Jumbo Sherman Tank, IS-2 Tank, Vickers Mk. VI A, Panzer 1 Tank, SCUD B Missile & Launcher, Ho-Ro mobile artillery & many more.

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Exhibits
WWI – Trench Experience
WWII – War Clouds, Arsenal of Democracy, North Africa, Italian Campaign, Eastern Front, Clash of Steel, D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, Crossing the Rhine, Battle for Berlin, Défense of the Reich, Liberation & Pacific War.
Korean War.
Cold War.
Vietnam War.
Gulf War.
9/11 & War on Terror.

The Aircraft Collection
Early Aviation Collection
The adventurous romance of flying was in full swing during the early 1900s. A number of key figures refining & defining the modern aeroplane. This kicked off the great Pioneer Era (1903 – 1914) of aeroplane development & design. *The early aviation collection in Massachusetts is available for viewing during special events & by appointment.
World War II Collection
During World War II, aviation firmly established itself as a critical component of modern warfare. Military investment during WWII accelerated aviation design considerably. The Collings Foundation has recovered & restored many of the true l&mark aircraft that built the world aviation history. *Some of the WWII aircraft are not on premise. Please check before visiting.
Korean War Collection
The Korean War was the first shooting war for the newly independent United States Air Force. It was the first time jet aircaraft entered battle. *Aside from the AT-6 Texan & T-33, the majority of the Korean War aircraft are not on the premise.

Artefact Collection
Artefacts from WWI – The Great war, WWII – European Theatre, WWII – Pacific Theatre, Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Gulf War – Operation Desert Storm & Afghanistan.

The Automotive Collection
Brass Era
Beautiful automobiles from the Brass Era – the early period of automotive manufacturing, named for the prominent brass fittings used during this time. *The car collection is viewable during special events & by appointment only.
Roaring 20’s
Social, cultural & economic conditions underwent dramatic changes during the 1920s. A stronger United States economy allowed Americans to spend more – particularly on automobiles. The new leisure activity of driving was born.
Classic Era
Automobiles such as the 1927 Rolls Royce Springfield & 1932 Duesenberg SJ defined the “Classic” look of an automobile. Smooth curves, intricate hood ornaments & ornate interiors are key futures in these beautiful cars.
Celebrity Cars
The most notable celebrity car in the Collings Foundation’s collection is a 1940 V-16 Cadillac limousine owned by the famous gangster Al Capone.
Indianapolis 500
Started in 1911, the Indianapolis 500 is one of the world’s most popular races. Called “The Greatest Spectacle In Racing” the drivers race 200 hard fought laps. Offenhauser & Duesenberg were two of the pioneers that shaped the history of this event.
Sports Race Cars
24-hour & endurance sport races were won by teams who had the fastest & most durable cars with pit crews who could adjust & act at a moments notice. The Foundation’s 1996 Rilley & Scott MkIII/Ford was the winner of the 1997 Rolex 24 hours of Daytona.
Sprint Cars 1920’s To WWII
Where all modern organized sports car racing originated from! Ingenuity & creative thought were used to turn tractor parts & Model T engines into racing machines.
Sprint Cars WWII To The 1950’s
Mechanical refinements were made to make the sprint cars faster & far more dangerous. Sprint race meets were as popular as NFL football is today.
Military Vehicles
Rare American vehicles such as the 1917 Vim Camp Devens Express & Ford Model T Ambulance are included in this unique collection.
Trucks & Farm Vehicles
Artefacts, tractors & vehicles from the early days of mechanized farming make up the majority of this unique collection.
1893: The End Of An Era
Late 1800’s the new automobile was quickly replacing the horse & carriage. The Collings Foundation has several classic carriages & sleighs from this time of American history.

World War II Tank Driving Experiences & Tank Rides!
Drive The M4 Sherman WWII Medium Tank
Drive The M24 Chaffee WWII Light Tank
Rides On The M4 Sherman WWII Tank
Rides On The M24 Chaffee WWII Tank

Gallery

American Heritage Museum on AvPay wwii aircraft in flight
American Heritage Museum on AvPay defense of the reich exhibition
American Heritage Museum on AvPay tank inside museum
American Heritage Museum on AvPay aircraft inside museum
American Heritage Museum on AvPay two tanks rolling along
American Heritage Museum on AvPay pilot uniform on display
American Heritage Museum on AvPay aircraft in flight
American Heritage Museum on AvPay early automobiles
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