Business & Tech

Armor Museum Brings New Era to Restoration Village

Museum of American Armor to be built at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

Nassau County's premier historic site is creating a new era of living history in Old Bethpage.
 
In a steady downpour and with rumbling armored equipment as a backdrop,  Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano announced the creation of the Museum of American Armor to be built at Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

“We are watching powerful tributes to our American military reduced or eliminated across the nation and its just plain wrong,” Mangano said. "Nassau County is moving in another direction."

Mangano said an armor museum to honor American G.I.s will be built on the county's property off Round Swamp Road. It will pay tribute to veterans and strengthen Nassau County's tourism industry.

Mangano was joined by veterans, elected officials, living historians, representatives from the nearby American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport and the Cradle of Aviation Museum at the Old Bethpage Restoration Village at 1303 Round Swamp Road.

Creating an armored column that replicates the sights and sounds of American forces during World War II is a "compelling educational tool," Mangano said.

"Place it in this setting of vintage farmhouses and country roads so reminiscent of the WWII era Normandy countryside and you have created a virtual time machine that ensures indelible memories for families.," Mangano said.

Lawrence Kadish, founding Chairman of the Museum of American Armor, is providing a gift of $1 million towards the creation of the museum. He stated, "Our appreciation of history can be fickle in in an age of Iphones, Instagrams, virtual realities and Wikis. Our appreciation of our nation’s battles is often ignored. Seeing these vehicles rumbling across an open field recreates a moment in time that allows us to fully honor our military and understand what was required of an entire generation whose sacrifices ensured the defeat of brutal enemies seeking world domination.

"Our goal is to bring the sights and sounds of American history to a new generation, and thereby pay tribute to those who have heroically defended our freedoms over the many decades,” Kadish said.
 
Jeff Clyman, president of Farmingdale's American Airpower Museum, said the ability to base an entire collection of World War II armor in this setting and so close to the Airpower Museum will allow for "joint programs, national and international marketing and educational efforts unique to the Northeast.” 

Plans call for the construction of a 25,000 square-foot facility on the grounds at Old Bethpage. Operational vehicles that will be on public display include the iconic Sherman tank, a Stuart light tank used extensively by the Marines during their Pacific campaigns, a 155 mm howitzer, reconnaissance vehicles, anti-aircraft guns and similar weapons that broke the back of the Axis powers during World War II. Other tributes are planned for veterans of other American wars.

Special weekends are planned during which World War II living historians will mount joint operations with the armor and take to the fields of Old Bethpage Village to demonstrate how these weapons were deployed.

Entitled, “WW II Encampment,” visitors are invited to attend the first event on May 18-19 at the Restoration Village.


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