Events

World War II Comes to Life at the History Center

Siege of Bastogne / Battle of the Bulge

In December 1944, during World War II, American soldiers were trapped inside snowy Bastogne, Belgium, while the German army conducted a weeks-long siege designed to surround Bastogne and cut off supplies forcing the Americans to surrender.

This attack created a “bulge” in the front lines—so it’s called the Battle of the Bulge.

Even though they were outnumbered, the American troops—especially the 101st Airborne Division—refused to give up.  After several tough days, additional Allied forces, including the 4th Armored Division and other elements of General George Patton's Third Army, opened a corridor to Bastogne and American victory at Battle of The Bulge.

Join us as we honor and remember the famous Siege of Bastogne and Battle of the Bulge. We will transform our campus into the war-torn town of Bastogne.

Admission:
Members: FREE
Nonmembers: $8
Students: $6
Veterans: $7
Kids 6 & under: FREE
Museums for All: $3

Schedule: 
10:00 AM German equipment demonstration in the Wood Morrison House basement (known as the Presidents’ Room)
10:45 AM American equipment demonstration in the Watson Curtze Mansion library. 
11:30 AM Presentation on the Battle of the Bulge in the 2nd floor conference room of Wood Morrison by Mark Squeglia and Roman Straub. YOU MUST REGISTER at info@hagenhistory.org. LIMITED TO 32 seats.
1:00 PM Germans provide surrender terms to American Units outside in the area between the Wood Morrison House and the Watson Curtze Mansion

1:15 PM German equipment demonstration in the Wood Morrison House basement (known as the Presidents’ Room)
2:00 PM American equipment demonstration in the Watson Curtze Mansion library. 
2:45 PM Presentation on the Battle of the Bulge in the 2nd floor conference room of Wood Morrison by Mark Squeglia and Roman Straub. YOU MUST REGISTER at info@hagenhistory.org. LIMITED TO 32 seats.
4:15 PM Germans provide surrender terms to American Units outside in the area between the Wood Morrison House and the Watson-Curtze Mansion
4:45 PM Ceremony to honor the veterans of Erie County who served in the Battle of the Bulge. We will read the names of Erie County residents that lost their lives in the battle and have a bugler play Taps 
5:00 PM End of Event

What you'll see:

• Interact with 20 reenactors from the 99th Infantry Division, the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne, and members of the 11th Panzer Division as they bring the 1940s battle to life.
• Equipment and vehicles from the era
• Demonstrations of tactics and battle strategy
• Role-playing scenarios
• Stealing secret plans and delivering them to the Allies
• Equipment training sessions
• Authentic encampments
• Field quarters recreations
• Insights into what it meant to be a soldier during the Battle of the Bulge

Don’t miss this immersive tribute to courage and history!