The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (CBMM) in St. Michaels, MD, has announced it is offering free admission to furloughed federal government employees and their families. Free admission will be offered until the furlough is lifted, and will be extended to family members accompanying the employee on a visit.
“We want to reach out to those most affected by the furlough,” said CBMM’s Vice President of Communications Tracey Munson. “With so many people out of work and a number of the nation’s parks and museums now closed, we thought this would be a meaningful way to make a difference.”
To gain free admission, visitors will need to present an employee or health benefits card, or another form of identification recognizing them as a federal employee.
Funded primarily through private donations, grants, membership and admission revenues, CBMM is dedicated to preserving and exploring the people, history, and environment of the entire Chesapeake Bay.
Located along 18-acres of Miles River waterfront in the heart of St. Michaels’ historic district, the museum features the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse, a working boatyard, and several hands-on exhibits and activities for visitors of all ages.
For more information about CBMM, visit www.cbmm.org or call 410-745-2916.
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ahari wilcoxon says
What about all the people who have been laid off because of Obamacare cut backs? Are you offering them free admission?
What about all the people out of work when Obama closed car dealerships in the area? Are you offering them free admission?
How about everyone trying to find a job, but unable b/c this is the slowest recover since the Great Depression. Are you offering them free admission?
Just trying to see if you are treating all unfortunate people the same.
Tracey munson says
In response to Ms. Wilkcoxon’s comment: the Museum would love to give everyone free admission, and we do it often at various times of the year. Free admission to active military and their families, all summer long, for instance, or Delmarva Days for free admission to everyone on Delmarva, etc.
Unfortunately, that admissions revenue is needed to keep this non-government museum funded. Our funding mainly comes through private donations, membership, and admissions.
Without adequate funding, we would not be able to provide a lot of things, like historic boat restoration, engaging exhibits, maintenance of an 18 acre waterfront campus and 20 plus buildings, keeping the lights on, providing employment to 35+ staff, paying our vendors, etc. We don’t want to contribute to the nation’s unemployment, either, so we have to charge admission to keep fully staffed, for instance. 22% of our total admissions last year were given free as well.
If you know someone who has fallen on hard times, please send me an email. We’d be happy to send them free admission passes to the Museum. Otherwise we are happy to be able to help in ways we can with the furloughed employees. And be sure to check in on our website, as we offer free admission days throughout the year.
Tracey Munson
Vice President of Communications
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
[email protected], 410-745-4960