State museums in Nevada offer free admission for active-duty military families

CARSON CITY — Nevada’s state museums are once again taking part in the national Blue Star Museums program, providing free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families.

The National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families program, now in its 10th year, launched the 2019 program on Saturday, May 18 – Armed Forces Day – and it will stay in effect through the Labor Day Weekend.

Museums under the umbrella of the Nevada Division of Museums and History that take part in the program include Nevada State Railroad Museum, Boulder City; Nevada State Railroad Museum, Carson City; Lost City Museum, Overton; Nevada Historical Society, Reno; Nevada State Museum, Carson City; and Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas and the Springs Preserve.

Military families can find the list of participating museums nationwide at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

Blue Star Museums is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in collaboration with Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums nationwide. First Lady of the United States Melania Trump and Second Lady of the United States Karen Pence are honorary co-chairs of Blue Star Museums 2019.

“As we launch the tenth summer of Blue Star Museums, it remains a privilege for the National Endowment for the Arts to serve members of the military and their families through this program,” said Mary Anne Carter, acting chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Whether it’s an art museum, science center, or botanic garden, there are so many wonderful opportunities for military families to share a memorable experience exploring our nation’s museums.”

By participating in Blue Star Museums, museums can express appreciation to military and their families for their service and share with them America’s cultural treasures. Blue Star Museums also provides a way for military families to have fun together while traveling or when exploring their home community — an especially valuable opportunity for families who have recently relocated due to a change of station.

“We've seen the tremendous impact the Blue Star Museums program brings to our military families, and we're thrilled to be celebrating a decade of support,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, chief executive officer of Blue Star Families. “Not only are museums fun to explore but are also great for making memories and strengthening military families as a whole.”

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 members of the Reserves, National Guard, 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.

Follow Blue Star Museums on Twitter @NEAarts and @BlueStarFamily, and hashtag bluestarmuseums.

— Guy Clifton is a public relations specialist for Nevada State Museums, Nevada Arts Council and Nevada Indian Commission. He can be reached at gclifton@travelnevada.com.

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