Our Mission | Museum of American Armor

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Museum

In a move designed to further strengthen Nassau County’s destination tourism industry, while simultaneously providing a new source of revenue for the county’s park system, the 25,000-square-foot Museum of American Armor was born, just inside the grounds of the Old Bethpage Village Restoration.

The ability of the museum to create a military armored column among vintage farm houses and country roads, accurately replicating the sights and sounds of American forces during World War II, stands as one of the most compelling educational tools our region has at its disposal, in telling the seminal story of American courage, valor, and sacrifice—a virtual time machine, if you will.

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“Seeing these vehicles cross an open field as Airpower’s vintage fighters fly overhead recreates a moment in time that allows us to begin to appreciate what was required by our grandfathers to defeat an evil that even today we cannot fully comprehend," said Lawrence Kadish, chairman and founder of the Museum of American Armor.

Once visitors walk through the museum’s camouflaged front doors—which have been heavily sandbagged, similar to the way important bunkers were protected some 70 years ago—they are greeted by a stunning display of some 30 vehicles. Half a dozen times a year, in coordination with Old Bethpage Village Restoration programming, these vehicles are presented in the field, or on the village’s country roads, as living historians offer skilled demonstrations of WWII tactics.

Operational vehicles on public display include an iconic Sherman tank, a Stuart light tank used extensively by the Marines during their Pacific campaigns, a potent 155 mm howitzer, reconnaissance vehicles that acted as armored scouts for American forces, anti-aircraft guns, and similar weapons that broke the back of the Axis powers during World War II.

Other vehicles range from a classic LaSalle staff car in the markings of a Fleet Admiral, to jeeps, weapons carriers, and half-tracks. Multimedia displays augment this exhibition, as visitors young and old have the unique opportunity to view tanks under repair and restoration.

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Founder

For over four decades, Lawrence Kadish, president and founder of the Museum of American Armor, has strengthened institutions and initiatives which aid democracy around the world, while assisting America in its efforts to protect and enhance our national security.

He views the formation of the Museum of American Armor as a strategic move to reconnect a new generation of Americans with the courage, valor, and sacrifice of those who have defended our nation.

Through its programs, educational initiatives, and exhibits—many funded through the efforts of Lawrence and Susan Kadish—the museum has been cited by the Long Island Social Studies Council and Dr. Libby O'Connell, History Channel Chief Historian Emeritus.

Mr. Kadish continues his leadership roles as a founding board member of the Gatestone Institute, Human Rights Voices, Americans for Victory Over Terrorism, and the Committee for Security and Peace in the Middle East.

A commercial, retail, and industrial real estate investor and developer with national holdings, Mr. Kadish began his career in Brooklyn, securing an electrical engineering degree before launching his entrepreneurial career.

Today, Lawrence Kadish is a published columnist, as well as a determined and effective leader who continues to assist in protecting American values, the cause of democracy, and the future of this great nation.

VOLUNTEER Newsroom

Kevin Carroll

Volunteer

Kevin has been a volunteer since 2015 and joined the team while looking to find some volunteer work after he retired. Kevin does it all as he acts as the Community Affairs director and devotes his time to Museum Volunteer Recruitment, organizing special events, authoring museum articles and so much more! His favorite thing about being a volunteer is the people! From everyday walk in visitors, VIP guests and military veterans he loves being able to share the museums assets with them.

Shane Ekberg

Volunteer

Shane started with the MoAA in 2019. He believes it’s important to continue the museum’s efforts to recognize the sacrifices that were made by our soldiers overseas and the role of civilians at home in wartime. Shane has shouldered a number of responsibilities at the museum relating to vehicle maintenance, operational readiness, and event logistics. Since becoming a volunteer he has purchased his own M2 halftrack and Willys MB jeep. He reports that seeing the visitors’ smiles as they ride in the back of his halftrack during the museum’s Armor Experience program is one of the many rewarding aspects of being a part of the volunteer corps.

Andrew Oberg

Volunteer

Andrew has an extensive background in military history. He served in the Army National Guard for three years as a motor transport operator. He also has nine years’ experience with the Armor Museum’s sister institution, The Cradle of Aviation. Because of Andrew’s service in the armed forces and his passion for history, you’ll likely find him working under a vehicle, speaking to a visitor about the collection, or listening to the veterans who often come to the Armor Museum to share their stories. Andrew particularly enjoys the museum’s Armor Experience program that immerses participants in a WW II armor column, one of many opportunities for Andrew that allows him to keep our country’s military history relevant to each new generation.

Brendan Mulligan

Volunteer

Brendan’s interest in the history of the Second World War originally led him to the museum as a visitor, and he soon enlisted as a volunteer. Brendan’s role at the museum is varied. He’ll often have a wrench in one hand while holding a door for a guest with the other. He particularly enjoys the museum’s various outdoor events that attract visitors from throughout the tri-state area. He admits that among his favorite events are the various holiday parades that place the museum’s street legal armor before the public throughout Nassau County.

Jesse Schaefer

Volunteer

Jesse joined the museum in early 2021. He makes the trek from his hometown of Island Park to Old Bethpage a couple of times a week. Both his great-grandfathers served in the Navy as mechanics in WW II. Jesse’s role in helping to repair the engine in the Sherman tank is not only a great source of pride for him, but the experience also gave him a new appreciation for his family's contributions during the war. While Jesse enjoys all the museum events, he considers participating in parades in museum vehicles to be among his most memorable experiences.

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