Glen Ellyn Historical Society Participates In Blue Star Museums

[The Glen Ellyn Historical Society is one of more than 1,800 museums across the United States to offer free admission to military personnel and their families in collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, and the Department of Defense.)

     Glen Ellyn, IL – August 11, 2013 –The Glen Ellyn Historical Society announces free admission to Stacy’s Tavern Museum to all active duty military personnel and their families August 18-September 25, 2013 as part of the Blue Star Museum Program. Leadership support has been provided by MetLife Foundation through Blue Star Families. The complete list of participating museums is available at www.arts.gov/bluestarmuseums.
     The Glen Ellyn Historical Society’s military related collection includes a unique World War I flag created by the Glen Ellyn Women’s Club that honors local WWI veterans, commemorative ribbons from local Grand Army of the Republic members who served in the Civil War, and military uniforms. Guests of the Stacy’s Tavern Museum are invited to view the World War I flag that will be on display August 18th-September 25th. Stacy’s Tavern Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was the boyhood home of Philo Stacy (son of Moses and Joann Stacy who operated the Stage Coach Inn in the 1840s and 1850s). Philo served in the Civil War and hosted the gathering of GAR members following the war in his own home on Main Street.
     Jan Shupert-Arick, Executive Director, is “excited about participating in the Blue Star program and sharing with men and women who contribute to the security of our nation. We want to thank them for their contributions and encourage them to learn about local history and others who have served the nation.”
     This year, more than 1,800 (and counting) museums in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and American Samoa are taking part in the initiative, including more than 450 new museums this year. This year’s Blue Star Museums represent not just fine arts museums, but also science museums, history museums, nature centers, and 75 children’s museums. Among this year’s new participants are the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California, Grand Traverse Lighthouse Museum in Northport, Michigan, the Totem Heritage Center in Ketchikan, Alaska, and the World Museum of Mining in Butte, Montana. 
     Blue Star Museums is a collaborative project of the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, Department of Defense, and more than 1,800 museums. This is the latest NEA program to bring quality arts programs to the military, veterans, and their families. Other NEA programs for the military have included the NEA/Walter Reed Healing Arts Partnership; Great American Voices Military Base Tour; and Shakespeare in American Communities Military Base Tour.
     For more information about Stacy’s Tavern Museum and the Glen Ellyn Historical Society visit www.GlenEllynHistory.org or call 630-469-1867. Contact: Jan Shupert-Arick, Ex. Director, at Director@GEHS.org.
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