2885 S. Broadway
Green Bay, WI 54304
9210-437-7623
www.nationalrrmuseum.org
Contact: Deanna Novak, Director of Sales & Marketing
National Railroad Museum is one of more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free
admission to military personnel and their families this summer in collaboration with the
National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense
Green Bay, WI – May 21, 2014 – Today the National Railroad Museum announced the launch
of Blue Star Museums, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star
Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free
admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel including National Guard and Reserve and
their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2014. Leadership support has been provided
by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The program provides families an opportunity
to enjoy the nation’s cultural heritage and learn more about their new communities after a
military move. The complete list of participating museums is available at arts.gov/national/blue-
star-museums.
“As we kick off our fifth year of Blue Star Museums, more museums than ever are part of this
military appreciation program,” said NEA Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa. “Together with Blue
Star Families and more than 2,000 museums, we are proud to help connect military families with
the cultural resources in their communities.”
“Blue Star Museums has grown into a nationally recognized program that service members and
their families look forward to each year,” said Blue Star Families Chief Executive Officer Kathy
Roth-Douquet. “It helps bring our local military and civilian communities together, and offers
families fun and enriching activities in their home towns. We are thrilled with the continued
growth of the program and the unparalleled opportunities it offers.”
This year, more than 2,000 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia,
Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative. Museums are welcome to
join Blue Star Museums throughout the summer. The effort to recruit museums has involved
partnerships with the American Alliance of Museums, the Association of Art museum Directors,
the Association of Children’s Museums, the American Association of State and Local History, and
the Association of Science-Technology Centers. This year’s Blue Star Museums represent not just
fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers, and dozens
of children’s museums. Among this year’s new participants are the High Museum in Atlanta,
Georgia, The Thinkery children’s museum in Austin, Texas, the Mass Audubon Broadmoor Wildlife
Sanctuary in Natick, Massachusetts, and Henricus Historical Park in Chester, Virginia.
About Blue Star Museums
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star
Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America. The
program runs from Memorial Day, May 26, 2014 through Labor Day, September 1, 2014.
The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access
card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes
active duty U.S. military – _Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members
of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA
Commissioned Corps – _and up to five family members. Some special or limited-time museum
exhibits may not be included in this free admission program. For questions on particular exhibits
or museums, please contact the museum directly. To find participating museums and plan your
trip, visit arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums.
All summer long, Blue Star Museums will share stories through social media. Follow Blue Star
Museums on Twitter @NEAarts and @BlueStarFamily, #BlueStarMuse, on Facebook, and read the
NEA Art Works blog for weekly stories on participating museums and exhibits.
Museums that wish to participate in Blue Star Museums may contact bluestarmuseums@arts.gov,
or Wendy Clark at 202-682-5451.
This is the latest NEA program to bring quality arts programs to the military, veterans, and
their families. Other NEA programs for the military have included the NEA/Walter Reed Healing
Arts Partnership; Great American Voices Military Base Tour; and Shakespeare in American
Communities Military Base Tour.
About National Railroad Museum
Founded in 1956, the Museum educates the public through programs, exhibits, and preservation
projects about the ongoing impact of railroads in our lives. Visiting the National Railroad Museum
offers an opportunity to explore our railroad heritage. The Museum is one of the oldest and
largest institutions of its kind in the United States.
The National Railroad Museum is one of the first museums involved with the Blue Star Museum
program since it began.
About Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services,
including guard and reserve, dedicated to supporting, connecting and empowering military
families. With our partners, Blue Star Families hosts a robust array of morale and empowerment
programs, including Books on Bases, Blue Star Museums, Operation Honor Corps, Blue Star
Careers and Operation Appreciation. Blue Star Families also works directly with the most
important military family issues to light. Working in concert with fellow nonprofits, community
advocates and public officials, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and
strengths of military family life and works to make military life more sustainable. Our worldwide
membership includes military spouses, children, parents, and friends, as well as service members,
veterans and civilians. To learn more about Blue Star Families, visit www.bluestarfam.org. Join us
on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.
About the National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent
agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support
artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The
NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal
agencies, and the philanthropic sector. To join the discussion on how art works, visit the NEA at
arts.gov.
