The Kentucky Historical Society (KHS) will participate in Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), Blue Star Families, and more than 1,300 museums across America to offer free admission to veterans and active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day, May 30, through Labor Day, Sept. 5, 2011.

This will include access to the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History (including the newly renovated “Toyota Kentucky Hall of Governors”) and the Old State Capitol. This offer applies to veteran and active duty members of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard and Reserve.

More than 1,000 museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative, including more than 500 new museums this year. Museums included represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers and 70 children’s museums.

To learn more about current and upcoming exhibitions at KHS, visit www.history.ky.gov.

The National Endowment for the Arts was established by Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. To date, the NEA has awarded more than $4 billion to support artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation for the benefit of individuals and communities. The NEA extends its work through partnerships with state arts agencies, local leaders, other federal agencies and the philanthropic sector. Visit the NEA at www.arts.gov for more information.