Museums offering free military admission

The Frontier Times Museum and Kerrville’s Museum of Western Art have signed on with 90 Texas museums to participate in this year’s Blue Star Museum program, which provides complimentary admission to active military, reservists, National Guard and their families.

A collaboration between The National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums across the country, the program has increased in popularity since its beginning in 2010, runs between Armed Forces Day, May 21, and Labor Day, September 5.

To take advantage of The Blue Star Museum program, you must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID) or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card.

Admission is free for up to five family members and there is no limit to the number of museums that eligible members can visit. Family members may also receive free admission without the presence of the active-duty member; just bring your card indicating you are an active-duty military family member.

Although the Blue Star Museum program is tailored toward active-duty military, many museums also offer complimentary admission to veterans. Inquire before you go.

Officials of participating museums report success from previous years and say their staff is eager to welcome Blue Star families.

Frontier Times Museum Executive Director Rebecca Norton says the museum is proud to be part of Blue Star Museums.

“This is a fabulous way to let our military men, women and families know how much we appreciate their service to our country,” she said. “We always hope their visit to our museum helps them make fun memories they can hold onto whenever they find themselves away from home and family."

More information about the museum is available at frontiertimesmuseum.org.

Darrell Beauchamp, Executive Director of The Museum of Western Art, applauded the initiative to honor the nation’s military.

“We actually have taken the Blue Star Museums program one step further and offer year-round admission to our military, reservists, veterans and first responders,” he said. “It is an honor to have those who served spend quality time with their families at our award-winning museum.”

More information about the museum can be found at museumofwesternart.com

The Blue Star Museum program can be enjoyed at over 2000 museums across the U.S. For further information, including a locator map of all Blue Star Museums in the country, visit www.arts.gov/initiatives/blue-star-museums.