Admission Is Free At These Virginia Gems On Smithsonian Museum Day

VIRGINIA — From the space program to maritime artifacts to local history, gather your family and friends this weekend to learn something with free admission at the Freedom House Museum in Alexandria and other museums in Virginia.

Smithsonian Magazine’s 18th annual Museum Day will take place Sept. 17 at select museums in Virginia and in other cities across the country. D.C. area residents are fortunate to have easy access to a plethora of free museums, including all Smithsonian museum locations in D.C.

This year’s theme, “Experience America,” celebrates “the return to, and resurgence of, our country's diverse cultural experiences,” following closures due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release.

The following museums in Virginia are participating in this year’s Museum Day:

• Freedom House Museum, 1315 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Lee-Fendall House Museum & Garden, 614 Oronoco St., Alexandria, VA 22314
• The Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum, 201 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Gadsby's Tavern Museum, 134 N. Royal Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
• Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, 105-107 S. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
• George C. Marshall's Dodona Manor, 312 East Market Street, Leesburg, VA 20176
• Morven Park, 17195 Southern Planter Lane, Leesburg, VA 20176
• Clermont Farm, 801 E Main St., Berryville, VA 22611
• Newtown History Center, 5408 Main St, Stephens City, VA 22655

The purpose of Museum Day, according to a release, is to promote equal access to the wide array of museums in the United States, especially among children and underrepresented communities.

Museum-goers can head to the Museum Day website to download their ticket. Each ticket grants the ticket holder and one guest free, timed access to any participating museum. One ticket is permitted per email address; each ticket admits two people to a venue on Saturday.

Some museums require a printed ticket, while others allow electronic tickets. If a printed ticket is required, you’ll see an asterisk under the museum address stating **printed ticket required.

See the full list of participating museums at SmithsonianMag.com.