St. Mary’s County Museum Division is participating in the national Blue Star Museums program, offering free admission to active-duty military members and up to five family members at participating historic sites this summer.
The program runs from Armed Forces Day on Saturday, May 16, through Labor Day on Monday, Sept. 7. It is open to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, National Guard, reserves, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and NOAA Commissioned Corps.
Piney Point Lighthouse Museum is the primary site offering the free Blue Star admission. The Old Jail Museum and Visitor Center and the Drayden African American Schoolhouse already provide free entry to everyone. St. Clement’s Island Museum remains closed for reconstruction, and water taxi service is not part of the promotion.
Visitors must present a valid Geneva Conventions Common Access Card (CAC), DD Form 1173 dependent ID or DD Form 1173-1 ID. The active-duty service member does not need to be present for family members to participate. Spouses of deployed members are also eligible with proper identification.
On Armed Forces Day only, retired military members will receive free admission; other family members pay regular rates.
The Blue Star Museums program is a partnership among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the U.S. Department of Defense and museums nationwide. It recognizes the service of military families and provides a cost-free way to enjoy cultural and historic sites during the summer.
Southern Maryland is home to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, one of the largest employers in the region. Thousands of active-duty personnel and their families live in St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles counties. The free-admission program gives these families an opportunity to explore local history without added expense during the busy summer season.
“St. Mary’s County is proud to support our military community through programs like Blue Star Museums,” county officials stated. The museums preserve important pieces of Southern Maryland’s maritime, African American and early American history.
For museum hours, programs, events and regular admission prices, follow the participating sites on Facebook: St. Clement’s Island Museum, Old Jail Museum & Visitor Center, Piney Point Lighthouse Museum and Drayden African American Schoolhouse.
