Special to The Leader

 

AUSTIN, Texas—The Texas Historical Commission’s (THC) state historic sites will again participate in the Blue Star Museums program, which gives active military personnel and their families free admission to museums and historic sites across Texas and the U.S. Coordinated by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the program began May 30 on Memorial Day and continues through Labor Day, September 5.

From western forts that defended the frontier to grand historic mansions, the THC’s state historic sites offer a range of travel destinations where families can connect and experience the most exciting periods of Texas history. Several sites are dedicated to preserving the memory of military service in Texas, including the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg and Fort Griffin in Albany. Many of the sites recently made significant updates, including a new visitors center at Fort Lancaster in Sheffield and complete top-to-bottom renovations at Fulton Mansion in Rockport and Landmark Inn in Castroville.

This year, more than 2,000 museums in all 50 states are taking part in the initiative, including more than 500 new museums. Blue Star Museums is a collaboration between the NEA, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense. The free admission program is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card. To find participating museums and plan your trip, visitwww.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums. For more information on the THC’s state historic sites, visit www.texashistoricsites.com.