Historic Ephrata Cloister has joined museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums program, which provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families. The 2024 program will end on Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 2.

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. In addition to Historic Ephrata Cloister, the Blue Star Museums program includes children's museums; art, science, and history museums; zoos; gardens; lighthouses; and other sites in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The program is available for those currently serving in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps. Up to five family members may accompany the service member. 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 Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.

To learn more, visit http://www.arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums or follow #bluestarmuseums, @NEAarts, and @BlueStarFamily on social media.