Bessie Smith Cultural Center will be a 2026 Blue Star Museum
- Bessie Smith Cultural Center Technology
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Free summer admission for active duty military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day
Chattanooga, Tenn. – June 2, 2026 – The Bessie Smith Cultural Center is proud to participate in Blue Star Museums, a nationwide program that provides free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families throughout the summer. The 2026 program runs from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, 2026, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026.
Blue Star Museums is a partnership among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star
Families, the Department of Defense, and participating museums across America.
“We are honored to participate in the Blue Star Museums program and welcome military families to the Bessie Smith Cultural Center this summer,” said Paula Wilkes, President of the Bessie Smith Cultural Center. “As Chattanooga’s African American museum, our mission is to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture through art, education, research, and entertainment. Through this initiative, we are proud to provide opportunities for military families to experience meaningful stories, engage with history, and connect with our community while recognizing their service and sacrifice.”
“Museums help military families stay connected—to each other, to their communities, and to the nation they serve,” said Mary Anne Carter, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. “As our country approaches 250 years of independence, Blue Star Museums provides service members and their loved ones with meaningful opportunities to explore history and spark curiosity. For military families—who often face frequent moves and time apart—these shared museum experiences offer a sense of stability, belonging, and connection. By opening doors nationwide, this program ensures they can engage with the arts and history that reflect their sacrifices and strengthen the bonds that hold them together.”
“Blue Star Museums has opened doors for military families to explore, connect, and feel at
home,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. “As we approach America’s 250th anniversary, we’re proud to continue this partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and museums nationwide—welcoming military families into the heart of our nation’s story and celebrating them every step of the way.”
The Bessie Smith Cultural Center joins hundreds of participating museums nationwide,
including history museums, art museums, children’s museums, historic sites, botanical gardens, zoos, aquariums, and more. A map of all participating museums is available on arts.gov. Museums can join the Blue Star Museums program all summer long and the map will be updated regularly. Learn more and find the list of participating museums at
This free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States military including Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, 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 Convention 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.
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About the National Endowment for the Arts
Established by Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal
agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing opportunities for arts
participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov or follow us
on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
About Blue Star Families
Blue Star Families (BSF) is the nation’s largest military and veteran family support
organization. Its research-driven approach builds strong communities with a focus on human-centered design and innovative solutions. A “blue star family” is the family of a currently serving military member, including active duty, National Guard, reserve forces, and those transitioning out of service. Since its founding in 2009, BSF has delivered more than $336 million in benefits and impacts more than 1.5 million people annually through an expansive network of chapters and outposts. For more information, click here.
About Bessie Smith Cultural Center
Located in the heart of Chattanooga’s historic Martin Luther King Boulevard district, the Bessie Smith Cultural Center serves as Chattanooga’s African American museum and cultural institution dedicated to preserving and celebrating African American history and culture through art, education, research, and entertainment. Through museum exhibitions, educational programming, community engagement, performances, and archival preservation, the Center shares stories that deepen understanding of the African American experience and its lasting impact on Chattanooga, the region, and the nation. Named in honor of Chattanooga native and internationally renowned blues legend Bessie Smith, the Center welcomes thousands of visitors annually and remains committed to inspiring future generations through meaningful cultural experiences and inclusive storytelling. Learn more at www.bessiesmithcc.org.
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