Starting Saturday, Armed Forces Day, the Blue Star Museums program is helping U.S. military families fill up their summers.
Actively serving military members and their families may visit participating museums nationwide for free as part of the program, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families in collaboration with the Department of War.
The program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, and will continue through Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 7, 2026). Participating museums can be found in all 50 states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Among them are institutions dedicated to art, but also history and children’s museums; historical sites; botanical gardens; zoos; aquariums; and more.
Participating museums range from large institutions like the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, Illinois, and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, to smaller museums like the Aurora Fossil Museum in North Carolina and the Friendship Firehouse Museum in Alexandria, Virginia. Other participants this year include the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas; the Denver Art Museum in Colorado; and Discovery World in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
“Museums help military families stay connected—to each other, to their communities, and to the nation they serve,” said Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts.
“As our country approaches 250 years of independence, Blue Star Museums provides service members and their loved ones with meaningful opportunities to explore history and spark curiosity. For military families—who often face frequent moves and time apart—these shared museum experiences offer a sense of stability, belonging, and connection. By opening doors nationwide, this program ensures they can engage with the arts and history that reflect their sacrifices and strengthen the bonds that hold them together.”
For more information, visit SC Arts Commission.
