While honoring our military veterans should always be top-of-mind, local museums make it so much easier with lots of celebratory events and activities in November. Many of the 30 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are featuring a number of special events and activities honoring military veterans, a sampling of which includes the following:
Veterans’ Community Altar at the California Museum – 10/30 thru 11/11
The community is invited to honor deceased friends and family members for their U.S. military service in the Veterans’ Community Altar at the California Museum. Organized by volunteers of the California Mexican-American Veterans’ Memorial Committee, the display is a part of the Museum’s public programming for “Day of the Dead: Art of Dia de Los Muertos 2015,” an exhibit featuring original art by five California artists and contemporary altar installations dedicated to legendary Californians. Located in the Museum’s public lobby, admission to view or to leave a tribute in the Veterans’ Community Altar is free. More info at CaliforniaMuseum.org/Veterans-Altar.
Free Admission for Veterans at the Sacramento Children’s Museum – 11/7, 8 & 11
Perfect for spending playful time with active grandchildren, the Sacramento Children’s Museum is honoring military veterans by offering THREE days of free admission to veterans — on the weekend before the holiday and on Veteran’s Day. The Children’s Museum offers an environment that encourages children to think for themselves, expand their problem-solving abilities through creative exploration, and exercise both their bodies and their minds. More info at sackids.org.
Free Admission & Special Veteran’s Day Activities at the Aerospace Museum – 11/11
In a partnership with Wells Fargo Bank, the Aerospace Museum of California is offering free admission to ALL guests on Veteran’s Day. Visitors can enjoy special activities that include a crowd-favorite Open Cockpit Day, a chance to meet members of the Tuskegee Airmen local chapter plus a retired US Air Force pilot and Col. Gail Peck, author of America’s Secret MiG Squadron: The Red Eagles of Project CONSTANT PEG. More info at aerospaceca.org.
Free Admission at Automobile Museum & Historic Military Jeep on Special Display – 11/11
The California Automobile Museum will offer free admission to all active duty and retired military members on Veteran’s Day. Plus, as part of a partnership with the California State Railroad Museum Foundation, a historic 1943 Ford Military Jeep provided by the California Automobile Museum will be on special display (weather permitting) at the Central Pacific Railroad Freight Depot in Old Sacramento (located on Front Street between J and K Streets) on this special day. More info at calautomuseum.org.
Free Admission to Military Veterans and One Child at the Discovery Museum Campus – 11/11
The Powerhouse Science Center Discovery Museum Campus is proud to offer free admission to military veterans (who present their Military ID card) plus one free child on Veteran’s Day. Plus, they are offering “Electric Entertainment” activities to help guests learn more about electricity and one of the great scientists who studied it, Benjamin Franklin. Guests will also learn more about Franklin’s historic experiment with lightning and participate in a hands-on craft to take home. For more, visit www.thediscovery.org
Free Excursion Train Rides & Admission for Veterans at the Railroad Museum – 11/11
To honor their service and celebrate the patriotic holiday, the California State Railroad Museum & Foundation are proud to offer veterans and active military personnel with complimentary excursion train rides on the Sacramento Southern Railroad at 1, 2 and 3 p.m. All train ride tickets are first-come, first-served and note the first class car is not running that day. Military veterans can also enjoy complimentary Museum admission on Veteran’s Day (veterans and active military personnel must show their current military ID or proof of discharge). More info at csrmf.org.
Military Family Day at the Sacramento Zoo – 11/11
In appreciation for our troops, all military personnel, veterans and their families receive a 50 percent discount on Sacramento Zoo admission on Veteran’s Day with a valid military identification. With the last admission at 4 p.m. that day, the Zoo is always wildly inspiring with lots of fascinating animals and wildlife such as the crowd-favorite African Lion Cubs, three female Grevy’s Zebras new to the Zoo, and the young Black and White Ruffed Lemurs and Mongoose Lemur, to name a few. More info at saczoo.org.
Free Admission for Veterans and Special Activities at the Maidu Museum & Historic Site – 11/14
All military veterans can enjoy free admission to the Maidu Museum & Historic Site on the Saturday following Veteran’s Day. A special film showing of “Original Patriots: Northern California Indian Veterans of WWII” is available at 10 a.m. The one-hour documentary features three Northern California Native American veterans of World War II: Lee Hover, Frank Richards, and Wally Scott. More info at roseville.ca.us.
Night at the California State Library – 11/18
Working in partnership with the California State Capitol Museum, the curator of a World War II exhibit currently on display at the Museum will speak at California State Library from 6 to 7 p.m. following a tour of the California State Capitol Museum exhibit from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Plus, a small display of related items from the Library’s impressive collection will be on special display for the evening. More info at library.ca.gov.
Special Film Showing of Original Patriots at State Indian Museum – 11/21
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month and in honor of our military veterans, the State Indian Museum is proud to present a special film showing of “Original Patriots: Northern California Indian Veterans of WWII” at 10 a.m. as part of their Native American Film Festival happening that day. The one-hour documentary features three Northern California Native American veterans of World War II: Lee Hover, Frank Richards, and Wally Scott. Plus, military veterans can enjoy complimentary Museum admission on Veteran’s Day only (veterans and active military personnel must show their current military ID or proof of discharge). More info at cihcfoundation.org.
