Delta Blues Museum announced its participation as a Blue Star Museum, a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The program provides families an opportunity to enjoy the nation’s cultural heritage and learn more about their community, especially after a military move. A list of participating museums is available here.
Museum director Shelley Ritter says the program holds special meaning, stating, “Delta Blues Museum has participated in this important initiative from its inception in 2010. Many blues musicians served our country and during their service shared their music with the world. We honor these musicians like Honeyboy Edwards, Josh ‘Razorblade’ Stewart and others in our gallery and are honored to give complimentary access to our active duty military personnel and their families this summer. We are grateful for their service.”
“The Blue Star Museums program is a great opportunity for the NEA to team up with local museums in every state in the nation to support our service members and their families,” said NEA Chairman Jane Chu. “It means a lot to offer these families access to high-quality, budget-friendly opportunities to spend time together.”
Blue Star includes as many museums as possible. In Mississippi, the Mississippi Children’s Museum, Museum of Arts, Grammy Museum, and more are all participants of the Blue Star Museums program.
“Whether they want to blast off at a science museum, take a walk through nature, or encounter animals at the aquarium, Blue Star Museums will help service members and their families create memories this summer,” said Blue Star Families Chief Executive Officer Kathy Roth-Douquet. “This fantastic collaboration with the NEA brings our local military and civilian communities together, and offers families fun and enriching activities in their home towns. We are thrilled with the continued growth of the program and the unparalleled opportunities it offers.” 
