Historic Mesquite, Inc. to offer free admission to active-duty military and family members

Active-duty military personnel and their families will have free admission again this summer to the City of Mesquite's two historical parks through the Blue Star Museum national program.

The Blue Star Museums program runs from Armed Forces Day (May 18, 2024) to Labor Day (Sept. 2, 2024) and provides free admittance for active military and their families to participating children's museums, art museums, history and science museums, zoos, nature centers, and more - including Mesquite's Florence Ranch Homestead and Opal Lawrence Historical Park, which are managed by Historic Mesquite, Inc. (HMI).

"We're excited to once again be a Blue Star Museum," said Toyia Pointer, HMI Manager of Historic Preservation. "We appreciate the commitment and dedication of service members and their families. HMI is delighted to make it easier for them to spend family time together."

Tour times at Florence Ranch Homestead, 1424 Barnes Bridge Rd., are 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Fridays and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. the second Saturday of the month. Tour times at Opal Lawrence Historical Park, 711 E. Kearney St., are 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday-Fridays and from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. every Saturday.

Through the Blue Star program, free admission is available for those currently serving in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as 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), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance. Active-duty service members do not need to be present for their families to visit a Blue Star Museum.

The Blue Star Museum program is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and participating museums across America.

For more information, call HMI's office at 972-216-6468 or visit www.historicmesquite.org. For a list of participating Blue Star Museums, visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.