Img 3823 Scaled E1748979678919 Birmingham, Huntsville, Mcwane, Military, Montgomery, Museum, Tuscaloosa — Exhibit at the Alabama Museum of Natural History (Pat Byington / The Bama Buzz)

Fifteen Alabama museums are taking part in the Blue Star Museum initiative this summer.

The program offers free admissions to participating museums for active military and up to five family members.

Blue Star Museums

The Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden At The Birmingham Museum Of Art. — The Charles W. Ireland Sculpture Garden at the Birmingham Museum of Art. (Matthew Niblett / The Bama Buzz)

Blue Star museums is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense to offer free museum access to active military and their families ever summer.

The program begins on Armed Forces Day and ends on Labor Day. This year, that means it will run from May 17 through September 1.

Anyone currently serving in the following branches is eligible for Blue Star entry:

Active duty Army
Active duty Navy
Active duty Air Force
Active duty Marine Corps
Active duty Space Force
Active duty Coast Guard
Reservists
National Guardsmen
U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps
NOAA Commissioned Corps

These personnel can simply show up to a qualifying Blue Star museum with their Common Access Card and will be granted free entry.

Up to five family members of any of the above can also take advantage of this promotion. They do not need to be accompanied by their military relative, but will need to display their DD Form 1173 ID Card or DD Form 1173-1 ID Card.

For more information, check out the Blue Star Museum FAQ.

Participating museums in Alabama

Mcwane 2024 120 Scaled 1 Birmingham, Huntsville, Mcwane, Military, Montgomery, Museum, Tuscaloosa — The Bed of Nails at McWane Science Center. (Jacob Blankenship / Bham Now

This year, fifteen museums across the state will participate in the Blue Star Museum initiative.

“We at McWane Science Center truly value our active-duty military families, and participating in the Blue Star Museums program is a small way we can express our appreciation for their service. Summer is such a great time for families to come explore McWane together, and we’re happy to help make those hands-on learning experiences more accessible for those who serve.”
Annie Strong, McWane Science Center