BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art, and Kids Discovery Museum are among more than 2,000 museums across America to annually offer free admission to active duty military personnel and their families between Memorial Day and Labor Day, in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense.
This year, Bainbridge Island’s museums have also partnered to host a Military Appreciation Day on Aug. 29 — a one-day, three-museum celebration featuring Navy Band Northwest’s Deception Brass, from 1-3 p.m. on the Bainbridge Island Gateway Center Plaza adjacent to the museum of art. Active duty military personnel and their families will also freceive free admission and hands-on activities throughout the day at each Bainbridge Island museum.
Deception Brass is well-known throughout the northwestern United States for its dynamic performances. The group plays a variety of styles ranging from traditional jazz standards, current rock and funk, to New Orleans second-line.
“The historical museum is excited about the opportunity to celebrate history, creativity, and children with Navy Band Northwest,” outreach coordinator Katy Curtis said. “New Orleans’ jazzy, danceable music will be a perfect way to welcome and thank military families.”
At the Bainbridge Island Historical Museum: Learn of Bainbridge Island’s unique position as a military base in WWII, get introduced to artifacts, and learn of military heroes.
Hear stories told by Bainbridge Island military family members from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Make a Civil War handkerchief doll, uncover war stories, and look for treasures from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
“Our museum is proud to be part of the Blue Star Museums national appreciation program which enables us to thank our military families for their service and share with them our region’s cultural treasures,” said Katie Walters, Bainbridge Island Museum of Art’s development and community relations manager.
At the Bainbridge Island Museum of Art: Observe quilter Marybeth O’Halloran’s American Hero Quilt Project demonstration. This initiative provides quilts of comfort to injured veterans.
Participate in a military-themed art activity in the upstairs classroom with artist Katrina Ernst from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., as part of the museum’s Art in Action series.
“KiDiMu is honored to be a returning participant of the Blue Star Museums program, along with our community partners and neighbors, the art and historical museums,” executive director Susie Burdick said. “We are thrilled that together we are able to offer a wider variety of cultural and educational enrichment opportunities to military families.”
At Kids Discovery Museum: Learn about density by experimenting with “Navy boats” during a special Discovery Friday program, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Through this activity, children will work on their motor and critical thinking skills, and practice scientific observation as part of KiDiMu’s weekly STREAM (science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math) series promoting skills necessary for academic success. Enjoy a patriotic wreath-making craft in the art room.
Complimentary cookies and lemonade will be provided on the Plaza. Free event parking will be available in the lots behind the Kids Discovery Museum (KiDiMu).
Although Military Appreciation Day has been designed to recognize military personnel and their families, the community at large is also invited to join in the festivities. Families can learn more about the event details by visiting the museums’ websites at: bainbridgehistory.org, biartmuseum.org, and kidimu.org.
