UPDATE: There was a report the museum might have closed, but Renee reports it is still open.
(Originally post was from 2010) In early 2000, Dean Kruse purchased the entire collection of a closed Belgium museum. On September 4, 2000, the groundbreaking ceremony was held for the new 192,000 square foot American Heritage Museum that would house the former Belgian collection on a site in Auburn, Indiana. The museum complex opened in early 2003, with the WWII Victory Museum housed in the south wing of the complex. Read the entire history here from cybermodeler. This looks like a big place with multiple museums.
These photos were shot by Rick and Orinda:
These photos were located at the cybermodeler online site
What’s the story on the Jeep with the serial number 20109113? It doesn’t look right. The headlights look different, windshield and the hood rests for it, plus the fuel fill. Is that just an amateur restoration?
…..7 slot grille, solid windshield, semi-floating rear end, locking hubs, no tool indents, etc…… maybe someone donated their resto to the museum. still a nice jeep.
That might be a M-38 grille on that jeep. I think I can just make out the hinges. I wonder if they shipped that over from Belgium or obtained it in the US. It’s a strange mish mash. I hope they didn’t pay good money for it.
I have been to this place. The gems are the European and German equipment and not the US. It is an odd collection of things but some of it is incredible. Now I read it was a collection brought over from Europe, makes sense.
Wonder if the reason “The WWII Victory Museum” link doesn’t work has anything to do with the Kruse Auction star falling. Please, somebody local,update us before we spend $4-5 gas to get there only to find a creditors lock on the door. Been much going on in Auburn since Dec. 2010.
Glenn .. I’ve updated the post. I”m not sure what’s happening with that place, but a quick google search suggests problems. I need to read more ……
I live in Auburn and the museum IS still open. It didn’t get “lost” or repossesed in the bankruptcy. Just a current update.
Renee. Thank you for that update. I’ll let folks know.
– Dave
http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/features/national-military-history-center-sells-relics-to-keep-doors-open
Here’s a more recent update on the museum and the sell-off they had.
I was there several years ago before the sell-off. It was amazing. Huge, and full of odd-ball interesting stuff I’d never seen before, lots of it German. I heard it was the rare, odd-ball stuff that was valuable that got auctioned off.
Ann and I should have made time to go see it. I’d forgotten all about it.
I sure wouldn’t drive far to get there until someone has been there in person.
The MVPA drawing archive was there until the auction and LOT of things left there in a very BIG HURRY .