FAQs

The American Heritage Museum (AHM) is a 67,000-square-foot military history museum in Hudson, Massachusetts, featuring one of the largest collections of historic tanks, aircraft, and military vehicles in the United States. The museum is a program of the Collings Foundation and is built around the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection, with exhibits spanning the Revolutionary War through the modern War on Terror.

The American Heritage Museum’s mission is to preserve, interpret, and share the story of America’s major conflicts from the Revolutionary War through the present day. Through its collection of historic tanks, aircraft, and military vehicles, plus immersive exhibits and interactive programs, the museum focuses on the changing technology of warfare and the human experience of America’s fight to preserve freedom.

The American Heritage Museum occupies a 67,000-square-foot climate-controlled facility in Hudson, Massachusetts. The main building houses the primary exhibit galleries, the WWI Trench Experience, and indoor display of historic tanks, aircraft, and vehicles, connected across multiple floors. Annex buildings housing the aircraft hangar and car collection are open during Special Event Weekends.

Yes. The American Heritage Museum is fully ADA accessible, with a climate-controlled, well-ventilated facility covering 67,000 square feet. The museum has multiple exhibit floors connected by an elevator, with wheelchair-accessible routes throughout. Free handicapped parking is available on site near the entrance.

Service animals are welcome at the American Heritage Museum. Pets and emotional support animals are not permitted inside the museum.

Yes – free parking is available on site, including handicapped spaces. During peak summer months, overflow parking extends to a grass lot, so we recommend being prepared in case of wet weather.

Yes. On-site parking is free, with handicapped spaces near the entrance. During busy summer months, overflow parking extends to a grass lot. Please plan accordingly in poor weather.

The American Heritage Museum does not currently have a café or on-site dining. Downtown Hudson is approximately two miles away and offers a range of restaurants for lunch or dinner before or after your visit.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted in exhibit areas. Bottled water is allowed.

Personal photography is welcome throughout the museum. Tripods, professional lighting, and commercial photography require advance permission – please contact us at admin@americanheritagemuseum.org.

Yes. The American Heritage Museum welcomes families and visitors of all ages, with children 16 and under at reduced admission and children 3 and under admitted free. The museum is engaging for kids interested in tanks, aircraft, and military vehicles, and includes interactive elements like the WWI Trench Experience. Some exhibits address serious historical topics, including the Holocaust, so parents may want to preview content for younger or sensitive visitors.

The American Heritage Museum features 19 permanent exhibits spanning major conflicts in American history, including a WWI Trench Experience; WWII galleries covering War Clouds, Arsenal of Democracy, North Africa, the Italian Campaign, the Eastern Front, Clash of Steel, D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, Crossing the Rhine, the Battle for Berlin, Defense of the Reich, the Holocaust, and the Pacific War; plus exhibits on the Korean War, Cold War, Vietnam War, Gulf War, and 9/11 & the War on Terror. A full list is available on our Exhibits page.

The American Heritage Museum is a program of the Collings Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Collings Foundation has operated since 1979 with a mission of educational outreach in American aviation, military, and automotive history; the American Heritage Museum is its flagship public-facing museum and opened to the public in 2019.

Jacques M. Littlefield (1949–2009) was an American collector who assembled one of the largest private collections of military armored vehicles in the world at his Pony Tracks Ranch in California. After his death, the Collings Foundation acquired a significant portion of the collection, which now forms the core of the American Heritage Museum’s armor and military vehicle exhibits.

The aircraft hangar and car collection annex buildings are open only during Special Event Weekends and are not included with general admission. Check our Special Event Weekend schedule for dates.

The American Heritage Museum has been awarded the TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice award and is consistently rated as one of the top military history museums in New England. Visitors regularly cite the depth of the tank and aircraft collection, the immersive exhibit design (including a full WWI trench reconstruction), and the rare opportunity to drive or ride in an authentic WWII tank as highlights. Most visitors spend two to three hours on site.

Hudson, MA and the surrounding Greater Boston region offer a range of hotel and inn options within a short drive of the museum, including chain and boutique properties in nearby Marlborough, Westborough, and Sudbury. The museum is approximately 40 to 45 minutes from downtown Boston and roughly 25 to 30 minutes from Worcester. For up-to-date lodging recommendations, contact the museum at 978-562-9182.

The American Heritage Museum is located at 568 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749 – about halfway between Boston and Worcester and only five miles from Route 495. Important note for GPS users: some directions will route you through Barton Road, Pine Point Road, or Hunter Avenue, but these do not provide access to the museum. If you’re coming from the northeast, navigate to the town of Hudson first, then to our direct address.

The American Heritage Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are closed Monday and Tuesday, as well as on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. We are typically open on most federal holidays – check our Hours / Admission page for any special schedule updates.

General admission at the door is $23 for adults, $20 for seniors (62+) and active-duty military, veterans, and first responders, and $12 for children 16 and under. Children 3 and under, AHM Members, World War II and Korean War veterans, and Massachusetts Teachers Association members (with MTA card) are admitted free. Buying tickets online saves $2 per ticket – adult admission is $21 online, senior/military is $18, and child is $10. The museum also participates in Card to Culture, offering $3 adult admission and free admission for up to four children under 18 for Massachusetts EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders.

We recommend planning at least two hours for a general admission visit. Groups and visitors taking guided tours should plan between two and three hours. The museum covers 67,000 square feet across multiple exhibits and includes interactive displays, so dedicated military history enthusiasts often spend longer.

The American Heritage Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. We are closed Monday and Tuesday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. Holiday and seasonal schedule updates are posted at the top of this page.

General admission at the door: $23 adults, $20 seniors (62+), $20 active-duty military, veterans, and first responders, $12 children 16 and under. Children 3 and under, AHM Members, WWII and Korean War veterans, and MTA members are admitted free. Tickets purchased online save $2 per ticket – adults are $21 online, seniors and military are $18, and children are $10.

Yes. Active-duty military, veterans, and first responders (with valid ID) receive admission at the discounted rate of $20 at the door or $18 online. World War II and Korean War veterans are admitted free.

Yes. The American Heritage Museum participates in the Massachusetts Card to Culture program. EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare cardholders receive $3 adult admission and free admission for up to four children under 18 in their household. This benefit is available for purchase in person and is not valid for Special Event Weekends.

The American Heritage Museum is at 568 Main Street, Hudson, MA 01749 – five miles from Route 495, about halfway between Boston and Worcester. Important: GPS may try to route you via Barton Road, Pine Point Road, or Hunter Avenue. These do not provide access to the museum. If you’re coming from points northeast, navigate to the town of Hudson first, then to our direct address.

Yes. Online tickets save $2 per ticket compared to purchasing at the admissions desk.

General admission tickets are dated but not timed – you can arrive any time during our open hours on your selected date. Special Event Weekend tickets are sold separately through the relevant event page. Tank driving and tank ride experiences are scheduled separately and require advance booking on specific dates.

Tickets purchased online are emailed to you immediately after checkout. You can present them on your phone or print them at home. If you don’t receive your confirmation, check your spam folder or contact us at admin@americanheritagemuseum.org.

Both options are available. Walk-up visitors can purchase admission at our admissions desk during open hours. Online tickets save $2 per ticket and skip the line at the desk.

Yes. The American Heritage Museum is one of the only places in the United States where the public can drive an authentic, fully restored World War II tank. Two driving programs are offered: the M4 Sherman Medium Tank (the iconic Allied tank of WWII) and the M24 Chaffee Light Tank. Drivers receive instruction from museum staff and operate the tank under supervision.

Tank driving programs: The M24 Chaffee Tank Driving Experience is $995. The M4A3 Sherman Tank Driving Experience is [PLACEHOLDER – ecommerce data shows $1,274; website lists “starts at $995”; please confirm current price with Ryan]. Tank ride programs: The M4A3 Sherman Tank Ride and M24 Chaffee Tank Ride are $595 per tank (one price covers multiple riders, so groups can share the cost). The M36 Jackson Tank Ride is priced per seat at $195, making it the most accessible per-person tank experience. Advance reservations are required for all programs.

A tank ride lets passengers ride along while a museum-trained operator pilots the tank around our purpose-built course. A tank drive lets one participant take the controls and actually operate the tank under expert instruction. The Sherman and Chaffee ride programs are priced per tank ($595), so a group of riders can share the cost; the M36 Jackson ride is priced per seat ($195), making it the lowest-cost individual entry point into a tank experience. Rides are open to riders 5 feet tall and up; drives require participants to be at least 16 and at least 5 feet tall. Rides are the right choice for groups, families, or anyone who wants the experience without the controls; drives are for the bucket-list driver.

Two: the M4 Sherman Medium Tank – the most-produced American tank of WWII and the workhorse of every major American campaign from North Africa to Berlin – and the M24 Chaffee Light Tank, a faster, more agile WWII reconnaissance tank.

Three tanks: the M4 Sherman, the M24 Chaffee, and the M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer, a WWII-era American tank destroyer mounting a 90mm gun, used against German Tiger and Panther tanks in the European Theater.

No. Tank driving programs include instruction from museum staff before you operate the vehicle. No prior military, mechanical, or heavy-equipment experience is required. The Sherman and Chaffee are operated using a combination of steering levers and pedals; staff walks you through controls and safety procedures before your run.

Tank drivers must be at least 16 years old and at least 5 feet (60 inches) tall. Tank riders must also be at least 5 feet tall – there is no minimum age for rides as long as the height requirement is met, but riders should be comfortable in a confined, loud environment.

No. Tank driving and ride programs run on select dates in spring, summer, and fall, weather permitting. Programs are not offered on every day the museum is open. Reservations are required, and dates fill quickly – the full schedule is on each program page.

Yes. The American Heritage Museum offers gift certificates for tank driving and tank ride programs for all three tank types. Gift recipients can schedule their experience on any available date.

Yes. Docent-led guided tours are available for groups by reservation, subject to docent availability. We ask that group tour requests be made at least two weeks in advance to confirm a docent. Individual visitors are welcome to explore at their own pace, and most exhibits include detailed interpretive signage.

Group tour reservations can be requested up to one year in advance and should be booked at least two weeks ahead if you’d like a docent-led tour. Select the group type that best fits your party – School / Student, Adult / Child, or Senior – and submit a request form. For questions, contact groupsales@collingsfoundation.org or call 978-562-9182.

Groups of any size are welcome at the American Heritage Museum, and individual group visits during regular hours (Wednesday–Sunday, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM) do not require advance reservations. However, for groups of more than 15 people, we ask that you fill out a Group Tour Request Form so we can plan staffing and prepare for your visit. Reservations are required if your group would like a docent-led tour.

Docent-led tours are available for groups by advance request, subject to docent availability. We recommend booking at least two weeks ahead to secure a guided tour. Self-guided group visits are also welcome, and the museum offers detailed interpretive signage throughout.

Buses can unload passengers in front of the American Heritage Museum at the entry vestibule on the north side of the building, accessed from the road entering at 568 Main Street. Bus parking is on the west side of the museum.

The American Heritage Museum accepts credit cards, company checks, and cash. We do not bill directly or accept purchase orders. No deposit is required, and tickets must be purchased together as a single transaction. Tickets are issued upon arrival once payment is received.

Yes. The American Heritage Museum is available for private meetings, corporate events, and special-occasion rentals. The space offers a dramatic backdrop of historic tanks and aircraft and accommodates a range of group sizes. For inquiries, contact us at events@americanheritagemuseum.org or visit our Meetings and Event Rentals page.

The American Heritage Museum holds one of the largest tank and armored vehicle collections in the United States, with more than 50 historic tanks, armored vehicles, and military vehicles on display, ranging from a WWI Renault FT to Cold War-era Soviet armor. The collection is anchored by the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection.

Yes. The American Heritage Museum offers tank driving experiences on the M4A3 Sherman Medium Tank and the M24 Chaffee Light Tank, plus tank ride programs on the M4A3 Sherman, M24 Chaffee, and M36 Jackson Tank Destroyer. Driving programs are $995 for the Chaffee and [PLACEHOLDER – Sherman drive shows $1,274 in ecommerce data but website says “starts at $995″; confirm current price with Ryan]. Sherman and Chaffee tank rides are $595 per tank (rider group). The M36 Jackson ride is priced per seat at $195, making it the most accessible tank experience for individual visitors. All experiences require reservations and are only offered on select dates in spring, summer, and fall. All participants must be at least 5’0” tall; drivers must be 16 or older.

The American Heritage Museum hosts a year-round calendar of programs, including WWII reenactments (the annual Battle for the Airfield draws thousands of attendees), tank demonstration weekends, speaker series with veterans and historians, Special Event Weekends when the aircraft hangar and car collection open to the public, plus seasonal programming around Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and major historical anniversaries.

Our flagship WWII reenactment, Battle for the Airfield, is held each October. Smaller tactical demonstrations and battle reenactments take place throughout the year. The full schedule is on our Events page – we recommend reserving tickets in advance for popular events.

Special Event Weekends and major reenactment events are ticketed separately from general admission with their own pricing. Special Event Weekend tickets are typically $35 adult, $30 senior, $25 military/veteran/first responder, $20 child 16 and under, and free for children 3 and under. The annual Battle for the Airfield WWII Re-Enactment uses weekend-pass pricing. Speaker series events and select smaller programs may be included with general admission or member benefits – check the individual event page for details.

Yes. The American Heritage Museum hosts a regular schedule of special-event weekends, WWII reenactments (including the annual Battle for the Airfield), tank demonstration weekends, speaker series, and educational programs throughout the year. Check our Events calendar for upcoming dates.

Yes – the reenactments are family-friendly and educational, with reenactors in period uniforms and impressions, plus opportunities for kids to learn directly from living-history interpreters. Some demonstrations involve loud blank-firing rifles and pyrotechnics, so visitors with noise-sensitive children may want to bring ear protection.

Subscribe to our email newsletter at the bottom of any page, follow us on Facebook and Instagram, or become a member to receive advance notice of all events and member-only previews.

Visit the Become a Member page.

The Collings Foundation annual membership is $109 and includes American Heritage Museum benefits. A Lifetime Membership at the Collings Foundation and American Heritage Museum is $3,000.

Yes. Memberships make distinctive gifts for military history enthusiasts, students, veterans, and lifelong learners. Gift memberships can be purchased through the Membership page or by calling 978-562-9182.

Yes. The American Heritage Museum is a program of the Collings Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. EIN: 47-1954671. Donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

The American Heritage Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and welcomes donations of any size. Visit our Giving & Support page to make a one-time donation, donate stock or cryptocurrency, set up a planned gift, or contribute from a donor-advised fund or IRA. We also accept donations of historic military artifacts – see our Artifact Donation page for more.

Yes. The American Heritage Museum reviews offers of artifacts that align with the museum’s collecting scope. Visit our Artifact Donation page to submit details on the item you’d like to donate. Acceptance is at the museum’s discretion based on historical significance, condition, and fit with the existing collection.

Donations support the museum’s mission of preserving and interpreting American military history. Funds underwrite artifact restoration, exhibit development, educational programming, and ongoing operations.

Yes. Corporate sponsorships and corporate memberships are available with a range of benefits including private event access, employee admission privileges, and recognition opportunities. Contact us at admin@americanheritagemuseum.org or 978-562-9182 to discuss sponsorship.