Oklahoma Hall of Fame Offers Free Admission to Military Families Through the 2026 Blue Star Museum Program
Free admission for military personnel and their families from May 16 until September 7.
May 18, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - MAY 18, 2026, OKLAHOMA CITY - The Oklahoma Hall of Fame | Gaylord-Pickens Museum will offer free admission to military families all summer long through the 2026 Blue Star Museum program, a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families in collaboration with the Department of War.
Each summer, the Blue Star Museum program provides free admission to active duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserves. A military ID holder and up to five family members will be admitted to the Gaylord-Pickens Museum and other participating locations free of charge.
"We love being part of the Blue Star Museum program because it allows us to build a stronger connection with our military community," said Anna Studstill, Director of Museum Experience at the Oklahoma Hall of Fame | Gaylord-Pickens Museum. "We are happy to once again offer free admission to families from Tinker Air Force Base, Vance Air Force Base, Fort Sill, and others to share the stories of Oklahoma's incredible people with them."
The Blue Star Museum program kicked off on Saturday, May 16 in celebration of National Armed Forces Day. Free admission offers will last through Labor Day weekend. The last day for free admission at the Gaylord-Pickens Museum will be Saturday, September 5.
When military families choose to visit the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, they will be able to explore all of the exhibits currently on display, including The Chickasaw Nation's Oklahoma Through Its People Gallery, Picture Yourself, Makerspace featuring a mural by Kris Kanaly, and rotating historic gallery exhibits. Beginning June 2, visitors will be able to view a wide array of artwork at the OVAC Members Show, an exhibit in collaboration with the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition that features more than 50 local artists' works.
The 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. Tickets are not required to receive free admission. A military ID holder must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card to be admitted to the Museum.
The military ID holder may be an active duty service member or another dependent family member. There is no limit to the number of participating Blue Star Museums an eligible individual may visit throughout the summer. The full list of participating Museums can be found on the Blue Star Museums Map.
The Gaylord-Pickens Museum is located at 1400 Classen Blvd in Oklahoma City. Museum accessibility resources, including a calming room, are available. Additionally, the Museum provides free admission, crafts, and activities to all guests through its Summer Thursdays program in June and July.
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ABOUT THE OKLAHOMA HALL OF FAME: Founded in 1927, the Oklahoma Hall of Fame tells Oklahoma’s story through its people. From diverse statewide programming to the historic Gaylord-Pickens Museum, the organization creates an enhanced sense of pride for all Oklahomans. The Oklahoma Hall of Fame was created to honor extraordinary Oklahomans and to provide educational programming for students of all ages. Induction to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame is recognized as Oklahoma’s Highest Honor. For more information, visit www.oklahomahof.com.
ABOUT BLUE STAR FAMILIES: Blue Star Families (BSF) is the nation’s largest military and veteran family support organization. Its research-driven approach builds strong communities with a focus on human-centered design and innovative solutions. A “blue star family” is the family of a currently serving military member, including active duty, National Guard, reserve forces, and those transitioning out of service. Since its founding in 2009, BSF has delivered more than $336 million in benefits and impacts more than 1.5 million people annually through an expansive network of chapters and outposts. For more information, click here.
ABOUT THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS: Established by Congress, the National Endowment for the Arts is an independent federal agency that is the largest funder of the arts and arts education in communities nationwide and a catalyst of public and private support for the arts. By advancing opportunities for arts participation and practice, the NEA fosters and sustains an environment in which the arts benefit everyone in the United States. To learn more, visit arts.gov or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.
