The Collings Foundation

I have been going to many of the annual events here. I really enjoy seeing all of the historical airplanes and the vintage automobiles. It is great to see the past living again and for our children to see everything. This is real history. Not to mention all of the race cars here too!
The WW II re-​enactment is awesome on Columbus Day weekend. This is a must see for all Vets and their children.
The only down side is that a few years ago they doubled the prices to $ 20 per adult and $ 10 per child. So to bring my father-​in-​law, a WW II Vet, here and bring his memory’s back to life is worth the price to hear the stories he tells my son while there for the first time, but it gets expensive fast, buy a drink, eat, maybe pick up a baseball cap, now were in over a hundred bucks. So I leave with a bit of buyers remorse because I wanted to have a nice day with the family and not break the bank but I did. Tip, bring your own food and drinks, don’t spend on merchandise and remember it’s the same show every year. Take pictures, and enjoy.

The place to go for vehicle fans. Don’t waste your time on the «Museum of Transportation» in Brookline, MA. Head right to Stow.

Driving down the tightly packed road astride Lake Boone, down a wooded lane opens a wide field and impressive hangar.
WWII planes, including a Nazi gunner and Red Baron, are amongst many flavors. A three-​tierd loft system holds vintage sprint and indy race cars at top level. The mid floor holds a bar and interesting collection of compact vintage European cars. The floor is home to the planes, including a 1901 flyer and multiple tank and cannons.
The live reenactment schemes are one of the best fall events. You can watch these historic vehicles in all their glory. Yes, The Nazi’s are back! Take the role of the sleazy Americans and overtake a Nazi field position, (complete with fireworks and explosions!)
If you want to experience something different, or have your grandfather go into shell-​shock, give this place a look. Be sure to check ahead as only a few times a year this place is open to the public.

Impressive collection — visit during their annual open house. Maybe take a ride in a WW2 fighter? Thanks, I’ll watch. Beautiful location.

Yesterday, we toddled over here, expecting to see a few old cars and planes in a barn. Were we surprised! This joint is huge and gorgeous, and there’s hours of enjoyment to be had.
There’s a treasure trove of airplanes, stage coaches, and swanky antique cars. It’s all nestled in a gorgeous estate, tucked off the shores of Boon Lake. It even has kick ass gardens around it.
The Cars: I estimate there were close to 100 cars, ranging from old antiques like Mercers, to Formula 1 racers (Love the midget Racers!). There’s also an impressive array of Luxury cars (my fave was the Auburn Boat tail Speedster. Vroom! vroom!). They have Al Capone’s 1940 Cadillac. Apparently, when they bought it, there were still 2 machine guns in the trunk (No shit!)
The planes! Wow, they had everything from a Red Baron Biplane, to a Jet fighter. Apparently collecting old Military planes is a big part of the collection. There’s flight simulator pods, too. And, all sorts of WW2 Military transport on display.
This is definitely worth a trip. Now here’s the Debbie Downer… You only get to go once a year to their Open House (this past weekend), or to special events. Otherwise, you can’t get in.
That sucks, because this place is all the Museum of Transportation ought to be.
Mind you, if you go to the Open House, they have plane rides, and
all kinds of nifty exhibits, and even had a Mock Machine Gun Pit, complete with Dudes in WW2 era gear to demonstrate. Even BBQ. I’d have photos, but I was a dumbass and forgot my camera.
Next chance to enjoy the fun is a WW2 Invasion Reinactment in October. I might show up for that.