The Santa Barbara Maritime Museum (SBMM) will again participate in Blue Star Museums, a nationwide initiative that offers free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel and their families.

This year’s program runs Saturday, May 17 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 1.

Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense.

SBMM is among the more than 2,000 museums across America welcoming military families with free general admission this summer.

“We are honored to participate in the Blue Star Museums program in appreciation for those who serve,” said Greg Gorga, SBMM executive director.

“Our museum celebrates the maritime heritage and cultural richness of the Santa Barbara Channel, and we are excited to share these experiences with military families this summer,” Gorga said.

“The Blue Star Museums program is a simple, yet powerful way for museums to show appreciation for our military families,” said Maria Rosario Jackson, National Endowment for the Arts chair.

“We are grateful to the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum for opening its doors to these families and creating a space where they can spend quality time together.”

“Military families face many challenges, especially during deployment,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, Blue Star Families CEO.

“Programs like Blue Star Museums make it easier for families to create lasting memories during the summer months,” she said.

SBMM offers hands-on exhibits, Santa Barbara’s U.S. Navy history, historical artifacts, and educational programs that explore the region’s rich maritime legacy.

Highlights include the Point Conception Lighthouse Lens, the historic sportfishing yacht Ranger, and interactive displays designed for all ages.

For more about the Blue Star Museums program, visit arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

To learn more about the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, visit sbmm.org.