Blue Star Museum Program Begins on Armed Forces Day

Through the Blue Star Museums program, the St. Mary’s County Museum Division will offer free admission to its museums and historic sites for actively serving members of the armed forces, as well as up to 5 family members, from Armed Forces Day (Saturday, May 17, 2025) until Labor Day (Monday, September 1).

Participating sites include the St. Clement’s Island Museum and 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.

Please note that free admission does not apply to the water taxi at St. Clement’s Island Museum, only regular museum admission.

Click here for more information or call 301-769-2222.

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the 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 US military – Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard (active duty and reservists), National Guardsman (regardless of status), US 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. The military ID holder can be either an active-duty service member or other dependent family member with the appropriate ID card.

The active-duty member does not have to be present for family members to use the program.

Spouses of deployed military are eligible for Blue Star museums with appropriate identification.

In addition, on Armed Forces Day only, the museums will extend this free admission offer to retired veteran members of the military (others in party, including family, must pay regular admission). Note that retirees and veterans are only eligible for free admission on Armed Forces Day, as the Blue Star program is only for active-duty personnel.

For more information on hours of operation, programs, events, admission prices, and more, following the 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

US Colored Troops Interpretive Center: Facebook.com/USCTCenter

Museums Offer Free Admission for Moms on Mother’s Day

On Mother’s Day, May 11, St. Clement’s Island Museum in Colton’s Point and Piney Point Lighthouse Museum in Piney Point will offer free museum admission for moms during normal operating hours, from 10am to 5pm.

Please note regular admission prices apply to others with the party:

• St. Clement’s Island Museum: $3 for adults, $1.50 for children (6-18), $2 for seniors and military, and free for those 5 and under. St. Clement’s Island Water Taxi rides are not included in this promotion. Water taxi rides are $7 per person (all ages), and this price includes museum admission.
• Piney Point Lighthouse Museum: $7 for adults, $3.50 for children (6-18), seniors and military, and free for those 5 and younger.
• Old Jail Museum & Leonardtown Visitor Center: always free admission for all.