HBF offers free admission to active military personnel and their families this summer
From staff reports
The Historic Beaufort Foundation’s John Mark Verdier House, built circa 1804, joins museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer.
“As a military community, especially the Marine Corps, we find this initiative is especially important,” Historic Beaufort Foundation Executive Director Cynthia Jenkins said in a news release. “As a Blue Star Museum, the John Mark Verdier House is open free of charge for all active military and their families during the summer.”
The 2023 program began on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, and ends on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4. Find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. Active-duty military receive free admission year-round to the Verdier House, Jenkins said.
Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America.
“We thank the 2023 Blue Star Museums who invite military personnel and their families to experience the many wonders they have to offer, whether it’s a glimpse into the past, an encounter with awe-inspiring art, or a moment of discovery,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, Ph.D., chair of the National Endowment for the Arts.
“The John Mark Verdier House Museum is helping to enrich the lives of military families and build meaningful connections between our nation’s military and their local community,” she said.
Blue Star Museums include children’s museums, art, science, and history museums, zoos, gardens, lighthouses, and more, and hail from all 50 states, District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The current list of participating museums will continue to develop over the summer as organizations are welcome to register to be a Blue Star Museum throughout the summer.
The 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.
