Over Memorial Day weekend, I had the pleasure of visiting the American Heritage Museum in Hudson, MA. I am not sure how I had missed this gem of a museum in all of my years homeschooling in Massachusetts, but thankfully, I got the chance to rectify that mistake.
This museum houses a mind-blowing collection of armored vehicles, military artifacts, tanks, planes, and other items in their enormous showroom. Every artifact is in exemplary condition, and some items are the only ones on display in North America. Beyond the awesome might of these machines, you get to look at our turbulent history right up close. One of the missions of this museum is that we remember our American history. After a visit here, you come away with fresh respect for those who served in our many, many battles to protect and defend our freedoms.
The museum is arranged by years, and you can wander through on your own. They have lots of docents and volunteers who can answer any questions you might have. The museum is quite accessible with large walkways and elevators. They have an excellent gift shop with books, clothing, and memorabilia, too. I would allow ample time to read all of the information presented here. Another fun perk they offer is the opportunity to purchase tickets to ride in one of the tanks, or even drive one if you’ve got the cash. If you wish to do these activities, be sure to plan in advance of your visit.
I also recommend attending on an event day. On their Memorial Day event day, we saw re-enactments, tank demonstrations, and their special collections museums were open for public viewing. They had planes, a U boat, and even old racing cars. In addition, they had food trucks and lots of people in military uniforms walking in the crowds. With arts and crafts, games for the kids, and more, we had a blast spending a day at the American Heritage Museum.
I wanted to mention that on the day we went, we had the distinct pleasure of meeting Mr. Alfred Consigli, a 97 year old veteran of World War II. He brought his memorabilia, photos, and told stories to anyone who wanted to meet him. Hearing him talk and seeing his photos was a once in a lifetime experience. We don’t have many WWII veterans left who can remind us of how they fought and what they went through.
You can buy tickets in advance to save a few dollars, parking is free, and the drive is easy to get there. The museum is accessible and easy to navigate, also. I really feel it is important for us all to visit places like this and come face to face with the realities of war, oppression, and the lives of the soldiers and civilians alike. I hope you’ll take the trek to the American Heritage Museum and see for yourself how educational and impressive it is!