The New Jersey State Museum has joined 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 2023 program began on Armed Forces Day, May 20, and ends on Labor Day, September 4. While admission to the New Jersey State Museum is always free, there is a fee for Planetarium programs. That fee is waived under the Blue Star program.

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.

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. A list of participating museums is available at arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

The New Jersey State Museum, located at 205 West State Street in Trenton, is open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. For additional information visit statemuseum.nj.gov.