Museum of New Mexico Media Center Press Release

A Gift to Military Families from NM Museums & Monuments

Museum of New Mexico

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 22, 2012

MEDIA CONTACT

As part of the national Blue Star Museums Program, New Mexico’s 14 state-run museums and historic monuments will once again offer free admission to active duty military personnel and their families during the summer months.

“This is a gesture of appreciation for the service and dedication of the men and women of our military,” said Governor Susana Martinez. “When New Mexicans put on our country’s uniform to defend our freedom, they make a tremendous sacrifice—and so do their families. I hope that all active-duty military members in New Mexico, as well as their families, will enjoy some of our finest cultural treasures this summer.”

The National Endowment for the Arts created the Blue Star Museums program in 2010 to honor active-duty military members and their families.  More than 1,500 museums across America have signed up for the program this summer. The free admission will be available from Memorial Day, May 28, through Labor Day, September 3.

“The Department of Cultural Affairs deeply values the courage and heroism shown by those actively serving in our military and their families. By participating in the Blue Star Program, we are able to show our appreciation,” said Cultural Affairs Secretary Veronica Gonzales. “Many of our museums and state monuments also offer cultural and educational opportunities for veterans, children, and adults connected to the military. These provide valuable opportunities to learn about our culture and heritage.

“After all of the sacrifices made by our military members as well as their families, they deserve to have free access to our museums.”

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration of the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums across America, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa. Blue Star Families is a nonprofit organization that works to support America’s military families from all branches of service.

The free admission is available to active-duty military-ID holders and up to five family members. Active duty military include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard and Reserve members. Visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums for a full list of participants.

“As we enter the third consecutive year of the Blue Star Museums program, we are happy to provide an opportunity for our nation’s service members and their families to connect with our national treasures,” said Blue Star Families CEO Kathy Roth-Douquet.

State-operated museums and monuments in New Mexico that will be participating in the Blue Star Museums program are (click on each museum name for more information):

Museum of International Folk Art

Museum of Indian Arts & Culture

New Mexico Museum of Art

New Mexico History Museum/Palace of the Governors

Museum of Natural History & Science

National Hispanic Cultural Center

New Mexico Museum of Space History

New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum

And six historic monuments statewide – Jemez, Coronado, Lincoln, the Bosque Redondo Memorial at Fort Sumner, El Camino Real International Heritage Center and Fort Selden.

 

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