The Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum (ALLM) will participate in the ninth annual Blue Star Museums program to be one of more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense. ALLM has participated in the Blue Star Museum program for several summers.

“We are proud to participate in this program and offer military members this form of thanks for their service,” said ALLM Program Coordinator Natalie Sweet. “The chance to extend the opportunity to military family members, too, who make their own sacrifices in support of their loved ones, is important to us.”

“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.”

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. Museums are welcome to sign up for Blue Star Museums throughout the summer by emailing bluestarmuseums@arts.gov.

“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.”

The program runs from the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, Sept. 3. A list of participating museums nationwide is available at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as Active Duty and Reservists, National Guardsman (regardless of status), 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), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.