The Lowndes County Board of Commissioners is pleased to participate in Blue Star Museums, a program that offers free admission to currently serving U.S. military personnel and their families during the summer. The 2025 program began on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 17, 2025, and ends on Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2025. Learn more and find the list of participating museums at arts.gov/BlueStarMuseums.

Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America.

“The National Endowment for the Arts is honored to help connect military service members and their families with their communities through the Blue Star Museums program,” said Mary Anne Carter, Senior Advisor for the National Endowment for the Arts. “Institutions like the historic Lowndes County Courthouse offer opportunities for military members to create special memories and connect with our country’s heritage and culture.”

"For 15 years, Blue Star Museums has opened doors for military families to explore, connect, and feel at home in their communities,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families. “Thanks to our continued partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts and participating museums nationwide, we’re proud to continue this tradition of belonging and enrichment. Museums are more than cultural spaces—they’re places where military families feel seen, welcomed, and celebrated."

“It is an incredible honor for Lowndes County and the historic Lowndes County Courthouse to be recognized as a 2025 Blue Star Museum. We are proud to stand alongside institutions across the nation in expressing our deep appreciation for the service and sacrifice of our military families. Through this partnership, we hope to offer a meaningful and welcoming experience to those who have given so much to our country. This designation reflects our continued commitment to honoring our heroes and preserving the rich history of our community,” said Bill Slaughter, Chairman of the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners.

The Historic Lowndes County Courthouse stands as a proud symbol of the region’s heritage and continues to welcome visitors from near and far. As an official stop along Georgia Grown Trails 41, the courthouse offers guided tours every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., allowing guests to explore its stunning architecture, rich history, and the vital role it has played in the development of Lowndes County. Visitors can also enjoy the on-site gift shop, thoughtfully curated with a variety of Georgia Grown products, including locally made honey and pecans. Additionally, the shop features Lowndes County-themed merchandise, such as shirts, hats, and other keepsakes.

In addition to the Lowndes County Board of Commissioners, participants include history, art, and children’s museums, historical sites, botanical gardens, zoos, aquariums, and more, and can be found in all 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The current list of participating museums will continue to grow as organizations can register to be a Blue Star Museum throughout the summer.

The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, 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.