Maine Maritime Museum is one of 28 museums and historic sites in Maine and more than 2,000 across the U.S. that will offer free admission to military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2014, as a participant in the Blue Star Museum program in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense.

This year, museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative, and include fine arts museums, science museums, history museums, nature centers, and children’s museums.

Participating museums in Maine cover the state from York to Presque Isle to Rangeley. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.

 “As we kick off our fifth year of Blue Star Museums, more museums than ever are part of this military appreciation program,” said NEA Acting Chairman Joan Shigekawa. “Together with Blue Star Families and more than 2,000 museums, we are proud to help connect military families with the cultural resources in their communities.”

“Blue Star Museums has grown into a nationally recognized program that service members and their families look forward to each year,” said Blue Star Families Chief Executive Officer Kathy Roth-Douquet. “It helps bring our local military and civilian communities together, and offers families fun and enriching activities in their hometowns. We are thrilled with the continued growth of the program and the unparalleled opportunities it offers.”

The program is available to active duty U.S. military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps — and up to five immediate family members. Eligible members simply present their current identification cards to receive free admission.