BRISTOL, TN-VA-The Birthplace of Country Music Museum participates in Blue Star Museums, a program that provides free admission to serving U.S. military personnel and their families during the summer. The 2026 program beganArmed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, and ends on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7. Learn more and find the list of participating museums atarts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.
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.
“Museums help military families stay connected—to each other, to their communitiesand to the nation they serve,” saidMary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “As our country approaches 250 years of independence, Blue Star Museums provides service members and their loved ones with meaningful opportunities to explore history and spark curiosity. For military families—who often face frequent moves and time apart—these shared museum experiences offer a sense of stability, belongingand connection. By opening doors nationwide, this program ensures they can engage with the arts and history that reflect their sacrifices and strengthen the bonds that hold them together.”
“Blue Star Museums has opened doors for military families to explore, connectand feel at home,” saidKathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we’re proud to continue this partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and museums nationwide—welcoming military families into the heart of our nation’s story and celebrating them every step of the way.”
In addition to the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, participating museums can be found in all 50 states, District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Ricoand the U.S. Virgin Islands, and include history, art, and children’s museums; historical sites; botanical gardens; zoos; aquariums; and more. Amapof all participating museums is available onarts.gov. Museumscanjoin the Blue Star Museums programall summer long and the map will be updated regularly.
This free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States military—Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, and 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 aGeneva Convention common access card(CAC),DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 IDcard or theNext Generation Uniformed Services (Real) IDcardfor entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.
