Actively serving military members and their families have the opportunity to visit participating museums nationwide for free as part of the Blue Star Museums program, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and Blue Star Families (BSF) in collaboration with the US Department of Defense. This year’s program begins on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, 2025, and will continue through Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025. Participating museums can be found in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. They include history, art, and children’s museums; historical sites; botanical gardens; zoos; aquariums; and more. Additional information and a complete list of participating organizations are available at arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.

“The National Endowment for the Arts is honored to help connect military service members and their families with their communities through the Blue Star Museums program,” said Mary Anne Carter, Chair for the National Endowment for the Arts. “Museums and cultural institutions offer countless opportunities for our military to create special memories, celebrate America’s history, and connect with our country’s heritage and culture.”

“For 15 years, Blue Star Museums has opened doors for military families to explore, connect, and feel at home in their communities,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. “Thanks to our continued partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and participating museums nationwide, we’re proud to continue this tradition of belonging and enrichment. Museums are more than cultural spaces; they’re places where military families feel seen, welcomed, and celebrated.”

Delaware’s participating museums include:

• Biggs Museum of American Art (Dover)
• New Castle Historical Society (Historic New Castle)
• Mt. Cuba Center (Hockessin)
• Delaware Museum of Nature and Science (Wilmington)
• Hagley Museum and Library (Wilmington)
• Nemours Estate (Wilmington)
• Old Swedes Historic Site (Wilmington)

A map of all participating museums is available on arts.gov.

“The Blue Star Museums program is a powerful reminder of how the arts bring people together,” said Jessica Ball, Director of the Delaware Division of the Arts. “We are proud to support this initiative in Delaware, helping military families make meaningful memories in some of our state’s most treasured cultural spaces—from art and history museums to gardens and science centers. This summer, we invite our service members and their families to explore, connect, and be inspired.”

Museums can join the Blue Star Museums program all summer long, and the map will be updated regularly. Military families are encouraged to check for participating museums in their community or along the road during their summer travels.

This free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, 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), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.

The NEA and Blue Star Families rely on national service organizations to help us spread the word about the Blue Star Museums program, such as the National Assembly of State Art Agencies, American Alliance of Museums, American Association of State and Local History, Association of African American Museums, Association of Art Museum Directors, Association of Children’s Museums, Association of Science & Technology Centers, Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums, Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and National Trust for Historic Preservation.

In addition, regional museum associations also helped with recruitment efforts, including the Association of Midwest Museums, Mid-America Arts Alliance, Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums, Mountain-Plains Museums Association, New England Museum Association, Southeastern Museums Conferences, and Western Museums Association.