GASTONIA, N.C. - Calling all military families, active and retired! For family vacation ideas this summer, visit The Schiele Museum for free exhibit admission thanks to Dignity Memorial and the Blue Star Museum program. From Armed Forces Day, May 21, to Labor Day, September 5, veterans, military personnel, and their families can spend summer at The Schiele for free!

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and participating museums across America to provide free museum admission for military families.

“We are excited to participate as a Blue Star Museum, and to expand the program to include veterans and their families,” Elysabeth Utick, Director of Development, said. “Thanks to the support of our Dignity Memorial partners, visitors can spend quality time with their families and there’s something for everyone to enjoy!”

The program features free exhibit admission for up to five military family members. Veterans, active military, and their families show ID when visiting the museum to receive their free exhibit admission. Participants are welcome to purchase tickets for The Farm, planetarium, and other special events. For more ID requirement details, visit the museum’s website.

“We value our veterans and want to show our appreciation of their service,” said Katie Leahy-Hancock, of Dignity Memorial. “We’re excited to offer this free museum admission to veterans, and they can visit as often as they’d like!”

For more information, please visit SchieleMuseum.org or The National Endowment for the Arts Blue Star Museums website. Follow The Schiele Museum on social media to keep up-to-date.

The Schiele Museum of Natural History: Inspiring wonder and appreciation of the natural world, The Schiele provides the region with a unique educational resource. Whether through formal instruction or visiting the various exhibits, visitors to The Schiele gain insight into the marvels of the world around. To find out more, visit www.schielemuseum.org or follow The Schiele Museum on social media.