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The Appleton Museum of Art, College of Central Florida, joins museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative, a program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families this summer. The 2026 program will begin on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, and end Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7. Learn more and find the list of participating museums at .

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 the Appleton Museum of Art, the Blue Star Museums program includes children’s museums, art, science and history museums, zoos, gardens, lighthouses and more, in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The current list of participating museums will continue to grow as organizations can register to be a Blue Star Museum throughout the summer.

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military — Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps — and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Conventions common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.

The Appleton extends free entry to U.S. military veterans, who receive free admission year-round. Veterans can show a Veteran ID Card (VIC), Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) or the Veterans designation on their state-issued driver’s license or ID for entrance.

“Museum founder Arthur I. Appleton served as a Navy Lieutenant during World War II. We are honored to once again partner with Blue Star Museums and also extend free entry to veterans and their families,” said Appleton Director Jason Steuber.

The Appleton Museum, Artspace and Store are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. A campus of the College of Central Florida, the Appleton Museum of Art is located at 4333 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala, east of downtown on SR 40 (exit 352 east off I-75 or exit 268 west off I-95). Parking is free. Admission is free on the first Saturday of each month. For more information, call 352-291-4455, or visit .