Blue Star Museums

Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area, in partnership with the Blue Star Families, National Endowment for the Arts and more than 1,300 museums across America, is offering free admission to current and former members of the Armed Forces for  the Carrie Furnace Hard Hat tour on the public tour dates of June 18, Aug. 20, Sept. 17 and Oct. 15. Tickets for the tour, which are normally $25, will be free to all active duty and former military personnel and $12.50 each for up to five members of their immediate family, i.e. spouses, children and parents.

Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel will also get free admission to The Bost Building Museum, which is normally $3 for adults and $1 for children. Up to five immediate family members can get in half price ($1.50) for adults, with admission for children under 18 free.

“Rivers of Steel is proud to be a part of honoring and recognizing our military members, former and current, as well as thanking their families, for the sacrifice they have all given to their country,” said August R. Carlino, CEO and President of the Steel Industry Heritage Corporation, which manages the Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area. “We also believe in encouraging families to become regular museum visitors as well as educating them about their own region’s steel heritage.”

The free admission program is available to active-duty military and their immediate family members (military ID holder and five immediate family members).  Active duty military include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and active duty National Guard and active duty Reserve members.  In the case of Rivers of Steel, it is also availale to veterans with their Veteran Identification Card, and their immediate family members.  For more information about the Carrie Furnace Hard Hat Tour or The Bost Building, visit www.riversofsteel.com or call 412-464-4020 ext. 32.

According to Blue Star Families statistics, a nonprofit network of military families from all ranks and services, approximately 300,000 military family members visited partner museums last summer. The 1,324 participating museums in 2011 include more than 500 new ones this year and cover history, science, nature and children’s museums. For a list of participating museums visit www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums