Things to do in Massachusetts, United States: The Best Military Museums

The American Heritage Museum at the Collings Foundation featuring the Jacques M. Littlefield Collection is a history museum chronicling the fight of the American soldier for freedom from the Revolutionary War through modern conflicts and the role that technology played in the battles fought. Told through over 85+ large artifacts throughout the 73,000 square foot museum, the AHM maintains one of the largest collection of operating tanks and military vehicles in the World from many nations including many rare examples such as a German Panther, a Russian IS-2, a U.S. M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo, an Iraqi SCUD B Missile and Launcher, and the only U.S. M1A1 Abrams tank on public museum display in the world. Visitors hear and experience the personal stories of those that fought or helped others fight through first-hand experiences like the World War I trench experience, engaging docents who were crew on tanks in modern wars, and the moving story of the crew of the M1A1 Abrams on display.

The Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center is a registered 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to collecting and preserving the history of the nation's first state police organization. Through our educational programs, interactive displays, mobile museum, research library and historical exhibits we strive to be a resource for our community.

The Armory, which manufactured and tested firearms for the U.S. military from 1794 to 1968, houses the country's largest collection of US military small weapons. The displays include rare weapons and the largest collection of confederate weapons anywhere. When it started, the Armory was the first high tech manufacturing to occur in the country, and the advancements in mass production and the ability to create interchangeable parts that started at the Armory, initiated the development of the countries first high tech manufacturing corridor.

Quincy’s proud shipbuilding history comes to life aboard this Cold War-era heavy cruiser. Berthed at her home port, the former Fore River Shipyard, the USS Salem serves as home to the “Kilroy Was Here" catchphrase and the United States Naval Shipbuilding Museum. Onboard exhibits feature memorabilia of over 100 U.S. Naval Cruisers including the City’s namesake U.S.S. Quincy and U.S.S. Newport News, a Military Weapons Display and Archives, and Model Ships collection.