The Blue Star Museums program is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, working with the Defense Department and museums.
The list of participating museums includes museums from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“Museums educate and inspire, cause us to wonder and imagine dream and remember,” said Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “Participating museums offer military personnel and their families an opportunity to feel connected to their community and to explore the world through the power of the arts, culture and design, contributing to each person being able to live an artful life.”
The program is open to those currently serving in the military and up to five family members. Those eligible must show their Department of Defense ID card for free entrance to participating museums.
“The Defense Department is grateful to the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and museums across the country who participate in this program,” said Patricia Barron, deputy assistant secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy.
“As an Army spouse who raised three very creative children, I know the importance of these enriching experiences to the lives of military families. Improving the quality of life for our nation’s service members and their families through programs like Blue Star Museums ultimately leads to increased readiness among our service members.”
While there aren’t any participating museums in Fayetteville, there are a few located just a short drive away. The Averasboro Battlefield Commission, Inc., in Dunn, is part of the North Carolina Civil War Trails Program. The Fuquay-Varina Museums Complex consists of six museums: Centennial Museum, First Fuquay Post Office, "Squire" Ballentine Schoolhouse, Tobacco Barn, Johnson Playhouse and the Norfolk Southern Caboose #375.
There are also several museums in the program located within a two to three-hour drive from Fayetteville. These include: the Nasher Museum Of Art At Duke University (Durham), the Joel Lane Museum House (Raleigh), the Cape Fear Museum (Wilmington), the North Carolina Museum Of Dolls, Toys, & Miniatures (Spencer), and the North Carolina Museum Of History (Raleigh).
The Bechtler Museum Of Modern Art, the Charlotte Museum Of History, the Mint Museum and the Wing Haven in Charlotte are also participating in the free program.
For a full list of museums that are currently participating in the program, visit www.arts.gov/blue-star-museum-map.
Museums may join the Blue Star Museums program all summer long, so families are encouraged to keep checking the map for museums in their community or on their summer travels.