Governor Quinn announces free admission for troops and their families at Lincoln Presidential Museum this summer
Museum taking part in Blue Star Museums Program Memorial Day through Labor Day

[May 24, 2014]  SPRINGFIELD – Governor Pat Quinn today announced that the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is joining 2,000 other museums in offering free admission to active-duty military personnel and their families this summer. Free admission for military personnel is an initiative of the Blue Star Museums program, a joint effort of the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families and the Department of Defense. Today’s announcement is part of Governor Quinn’s commitment to honoring those who serve our nation.

“Abraham Lincoln wrote nearly 151 years ago, ‘Honor to the Soldier, and Sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country's cause,’” Governor Quinn said. “I am proud to offer free admission for service members and their families this summer to the museum dedicated to Lincoln’s life.”

The program runs May 26 to September 1, Memorial Day through Labor Day. In addition, the Presidential Library will host three “thank you” parties for the troops as part of this summer’s offer, featuring free refreshments, children’s activities and visits from Civil War re-enactors. The parties take place 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 21, July 19 and August 16.

“Our troops and their families make tremendous sacrifices for the good of the country. It’s a pleasure to offer them the chance to visit an institution dedicated to someone else who sacrificed for the nation,” said Amy Martin, director of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, which operates the presidential museum.

Free admission is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes 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. They are entitled to bring up to five family members.

The complete list of participating museums is available at http://arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums
 

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum uses documents and artifacts, cutting-edge technology and imaginative showmanship to tell the story of America’s 16th president. It houses the world’s premier collection of Lincoln documents, family heirlooms, books and art, including a hand-written copy of the Gettysburg Address and gloves stained with blood the night Lincoln was assassinated.

For more about the library and museum, visit www.presidentlincoln.illinois.gov

[FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR PAT QUINN]