LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Through the Blue Star Museums Program, the St. Mary’s County Museum Division will offer free admission to museums and historic sites for actively serving members of the armed forces, as well as up to five family members, from Armed Forces Day (Saturday, May 16, 2026) through Labor Day (Monday, September 7, 2026).
Participating sites include the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum. The Old Jail Museum and Drayden African American Schoolhouse already offer free admission to all, and guests are encouraged to visit these sites as well. The St. Clement’s Island Museum is currently closed for reconstruction; however, visitors may call for water taxi information (not included in this promotion).
Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the U.S. Department of Defense and museums across America to offer free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel, including National Guard and Reserve, and their families each summer.
Blue Star free admission is available for those currently serving in the United States military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard (active duty and reservists), as well as National Guard (regardless of status), U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps and NOAA Commissioned Corps — and up to five family members.
Qualified participants must present a Geneva Conventions Common Access Card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entry into a participating Blue Star Museum. The ID holder may be either an active-duty service member or an eligible dependent family member with appropriate identification.
The active-duty member does not need to be present for family members to participate in the program. Spouses of deployed military members are also eligible with appropriate identification.
In addition, on Armed Forces Day only, the museums will extend free admission to retired military members (others in the party, including family members, must pay regular admission). Please note that retirees and veterans are only eligible for free admission on Armed Forces Day, as the Blue Star Museums Program is limited to active-duty personnel.
For more information on museum hours of operation, programs, events, admission prices and more, follow our museums on Facebook at:
• St. Clement’s Island Museum: Facebook.com/SCIMuseum
• Old Jail Museum & Visitor Center: Facebook.com/TheOldJailMuseum
• Piney Point Lighthouse Museum: Facebook.com/1836Light
• Drayden African American Schoolhouse: Facebook.com/DraydenSchool
About the St. Mary’s County Museum Division
The St. Mary’s County Museum Division was established by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County to collect, preserve, research and interpret the historic sites and artifacts which illustrate the natural and cultural histories of St. Mary’s County and the Potomac River.
These sites include St. Clement’s Island Museum, Piney Point Lighthouse Museum, the Old Jail Museum and the Drayden African American Schoolhouse. With this as its charter, the Museum Division serves as a resource, liaison and community advocate for all St. Mary’s County public and private cultural assets. For more information, please visit museums.stmarysmd.com.