National Watch and Clock Museum - Free admission for active-duty military members

The National Watch and Clock Museum, 514 Poplar St., Columbia, has launched Blue Star Museums, a partnership with the National Endowment of the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 1,800 museums across America.

Free admission for active-duty military members (ID required) and their families (up to five) runs from Memorial Day, May 27 through Labor Day, September 2.

Active-duty military include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and active-duty National Guard, and active-duty Reserve members.

Enlisting Time, an exhibit of personal timepieces and stories of soldiers who have served their country over the last 250 years will be on display at the museum through August. Watches in the exhibit include George Washington's pocket watch, spy and author Ian Fleming's Rolex wristwatch used when he served in the Cold War, and many more.

Blue Star Families is a national, nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, including guard and reserve, with a mission to support, connect, and empower military families.

In addition to morale and empowerment programs, Blue Star Families raises awareness of the challenges and strengths of military family life and works to make military life more sustainable through partnerships like Books on Bases, Operation Honor Corp, Blue Star Careers, and Blue Star Museums. Blue Star Families also works directly with the Department of Defense and senior members of local, state and federal government to focus on military family issues. Membership includes military spouses, children, and parents, as well as service members, veterans, and civilians who strongly support them.

From April through November, The National Watch and Clock Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. December through March hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. From Memorial Day through Labor Day the Museum is also open on Mondays.

Discounts are available to seniors, students, AAA members, and groups of 10 or more. Groups of 10 or more are encouraged to call ahead. For more program information, directions, or general Museum information, call 717-684-8261 or visit our website at www.museumoftime.org.