This summer, more than 2,000 museums nationwide will offer free admission to military personnel and their families as Blue Star Museums.
In the Historic Triangle, participating are the Muscarelle Museum of Art at the College of William & Mary, York County Historical Museum, Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families — a group that works to raise awareness for the challenges of military family life in civilian communities — and the Department of Defense, as well as the participating museums across the country.
The program offers free admission to active military personnel — including all five branches, National Guard and Reserve, and .S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps — plus up to five family members.
“We are delighted to be part of an arts community that is extending this special invitation to military families,” said Aaron De Groft, CEO and director of the Muscarelle Museum of Art, in a news release. “This provides a way for us to thank military families for their service and sacrifice, as well as provide an opportunity for these families to spend time together.”
Blue Star Museums started Memorial Day and runs through Labor Day on Sept. 1. Some special or limited-time museum exhibits may not be included in this free admission program.
Military members should present either a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or DD Form 1173-1 ID card.
For more information or to see the list of other participating Virginia museums, visit the NEA website.