Living History and Volunteers

We can learn a lot about history through immersive exhibits. At the American Heritage Museum, discovery and inspiration can come from seeing or reading about a rare relic, or feeling the thunderous booms from a WWII re-enactment. In all the methods of engaging people in history education, one of the most effective is through intimate conversation. The Collings Foundation and American Heritage Museum’s strength is in the people who help tell the stories of history. We have volunteers and docents from all walks of life and ages who engage our audience through discussion and demonstration. We hope you will join us in this journey through time.

Photo above: American Heritage Museum’s lead docent Colin Rixon standing in front of the Normandy Landings exhibit. He is wearing a uniform similar to the one his father wore during WWII. Colin started as a volunteer with the Foundation in 2014, as one of a small group of specialists tasked with preparing and moving the Jacques Littlefield collection from California to Massachusetts. He and his family have a long history of military service. Both his grandfathers served and were wounded in WWI and his father was part of the 1st Royal Dragoons during WWII, landing on Sword Beach during the Normandy Invasion. Years later, Colin followed his father into the same regiment.

Above: Some of our volunteers who received a certificate of thanks during our appreciation night at the American Heritage Museum. Back row, left to right: Jim Carroll, Larry Sumner, Jackson Rhodes, Everett Heller, Kent Hautanen, Liam Walsh and Aiden Lane. Front row, left to right: Remy Carroll, Peter Carbone, Jessica McNeil, Sara McDowell and Tom Cox.