DOVER – The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire in Dover announced it will again join museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2025 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, 2025. Learn more and find the list of participating museums at arts.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. The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire’s free military summer is sponsored exclusively by Service Credit Union.

“We are proud to once again partner with the Children’s Museum to sponsor free admission for active military families this summer,” said Jaime Yates, Service Credit Union Assistant Vice President of Community Development. “At Service Credit Union, we have a longstanding history of supporting our military members, veterans and their families, and this program is one of the ways we can give back to those who have given so much to us.”

“The National Endowment for the Arts is honored to help connect military service members and their families with their communities through the Blue Star Museums program,” said Mary Anne Carter, Senior Advisor for the National Endowment for the Arts. “Institutions like the Children’s Museum of New Hampshire offer opportunities for military members to create special memories and connect with our country’s heritage and culture.”

“For 15 years, Blue Star Museums has opened doors for military families to explore, connect, and feel at home in their communities,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. “Thanks to our continued partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and participating museums nationwide, we’re proud to continue this tradition of belonging and enrichment. Museums are more than cultural spaces–they’re places where military families feel seen, welcomed, and celebrated.”

In addition to The Children’s Museum of New Hampshire, the Blue Star Museums program includes children’s museums, art, science, and history museums, zoos, gardens, lighthouses, and more, and hail from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

The current list of participating museums will continue to grow as organizations can register to be a Blue Star Museum throughout the summer.

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military–Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, 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 a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.