Starting on Memorial Day, the World of Little League® Museum and Official Store, located at 525 U.S. 15, will be participating in the ninth-annual National Blue Star Museums Program, which provides free admission to families of those active military and veterans who provide proper identification.
The project is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums throughout the United States. A detailed list of participating museums may be found at Arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.
“We all owe a debt to veterans we can never hope to repay,” said Lance Van Auken, Little League Vice President and Executive Director of the Museum. “This is one way, however, we can say thank you to those who served, and to the families who support them.”
Although the program ends on Labor Day, the World of Little League Museum offers free admission to veterans, active military (National Guard and Reserve too) and their families all year round.
“Visiting a museum is a great way to get to know a community — whether it’s in your hometown or a stop on a road trip,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “We appreciate the enthusiasm of museums all across the country who open their doors for military and their families to spend time together and have new arts experiences. It means a lot to offer these families access to high-quality, budget-friendly opportunities to spend time together.”
This year’s participating Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, zoos, nature centers, and children’s museums. In addition to the World of Little League Museum, the East Lycoming Historical Society, Hughesville, and the Jersey Shore Historical Society are participating.
“As many military families spend the summer months moving from one duty station to another, or reconnecting with a parent who has returned from deployment, Blue Star Museums helps service members and their families create memories,” said Blue Star Families Chief Executive Officer Kathy Roth-Douquet. “Blue Star Families has great appreciation for the generosity of the museums across the country who roll out the red carpet for the families who serve alongside their service members. We are thrilled with the continued growth of the program and the unparalleled opportunities it offers.”
As part of Blue Star Museums program, military families with young children are offered a tool kit with tips about visiting a museum. Here are some of those tips:
- Choose wisely, especially if it is a first museum outing
- Select the time of day that works best for your family
- Check out the logistics: parking, hours of operation, strollers allowed, snacks available, etc.
- Do some reconnaissance: visit the website for special programs or family events.
- Keep it short by selecting one area to explore. You can always return!
- Upon arrival, obtain a map to locate the restrooms and exhibit locations.
- Mind your museum manners by looking with your eyes, not your fingers (unless it’s an interactive exhibit); use soft voices and quiet steps; find areas for touching and follow rules for safety.
- Choose activities like: “I Spy” and give hints about the object in the gallery; “All Your Senses” by selecting a piece of art, animal in a zoo, or piece of equipment and ask what that object would hear, see, experience or taste; or “Story Chain.” As part of this experience, the story begins with “It was the happiest day of my life.” Each person adds a sentence or two until the story concludes. Other games are “What Is This” or “Act It Out” (pose like the people are in a painting or photo).
- The toolkit also offers games to intrigue older children during their visit.