Today@Sam Article

Museum To Offer Free Admission To Military Personnel

May 22, 2018
SHSU Media Contact: Emily Binetti

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum is one of more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to military personnel and their families this summer 

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum has announced its participation in the annual Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel and their families. 

Through the Blue Star Museums program, active duty military personnel and their families can visit the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, and any of the other participating museums, free from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Sept. 5.

“We are participating in our eighth year of Blue Star Museums.  It’s a way for the Museum to give back to the men and women who are serving our country and their families,” said Megan Buro, Marketing Coordinator at the museum.  

“Visiting a museum is a great way to get to know a community—whether it’s in your hometown or a stop on a road trip,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “We appreciate the enthusiasm of museums all across the country who open their doors for military and their families to spend time together and have new arts experiences.”

This year’s participating Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, zoos, nature centers and children’s museums.

“As many military families spend the summer months moving from one duty station to another, or reconnecting with a parent who has returned from deployment, Blue Star Museums helps service members and their families create memories,” said Blue Star Families Chief Executive Officer Kathy Roth-Douquet. “Blue Star Families has great appreciation for the generosity of the museums across the country who roll out the red carpet for the families who serve alongside their service members. We are thrilled with the continued growth of the program and the unparalleled opportunities it offers.”

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as Active Duty and Reservists, National Guardsman (regardless of status), U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.

The complete list of participating museums is available at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

The Sam Houston Memorial Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4:30 p.m. 

For more information on the museum’s summer events and exhibits, visit samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com or call 936.294.1832.

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