Free summer admission program connects military families to the stories of the Mid-Columbia region during America’s 250th commemoration
RICHLAND, WA — The REACH Museum is proud to participate in the 2026 Blue Star Museums initiative, a nationwide program offering free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, through Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026.
As the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, the REACH Museum joins museums across America in welcoming military families to explore the people, landscapes, science, and history that helped shape both the Mid-Columbia region and the nation itself.
Blue Star Museums is a partnership among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and museums nationwide.
“The REACH Museum tells the story of a region that helped shape modern America — through science, innovation, agriculture, engineering, and the communities built here along the Columbia River,” said Rosanna Sharpe, Executive Director of the REACH Museum. “As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, we’re proud to welcome military families to experience these stories together and connect with the history and landscape of the Mid-Columbia.”
Located along the Columbia River in Richland, Washington, the REACH Museum shares the stories of the Mid-Columbia region through immersive exhibits, cultural history, science, and hands-on learning experiences. From the Ice Age Floods and the shrub-steppe ecosystem to the transformation of the Columbia Basin and the scientific legacy of Hanford, the museum explores how this region has impacted the nation and the world.
Military families visiting this summer can experience:
- Interactive exhibits focused on the Columbia Basin and regional history
- Outdoor riverfront trails and native plant landscapes
- Family-friendly STEAM activities and educational programs
- Rotating exhibits, including John Clement: Visions of White Bluffs – 40 Years of Photography
“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.”
“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.”
The free admission program is available to those currently serving in the United States military — including the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, and NOAA Commissioned Corps — and up to five family members.
Qualified visitors must present a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card, DD Form 1173-1 ID card, or Next Generation Uniformed Services ID card for admission.
For more information please visit: Blue Star Museums