Pony Express Museum offering free admission to military personnel

By Ashley Luthans

The Pony Express Museum in St. Joseph is the latest location to offer free admission to military families this summer as part of the Blue Star Museum Program.

The program provides free museum access to active-duty military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day, May 18, 2024, to Labor Day, Sept. 2, 2024.

In a press release announcing the museum’s participation in the program, Pony Express Museum’s executive director, Cindy Daffron, shared excitement for the new collaboration.

“It is our privilege and honor to offer this special program to our guests and recognize those Blue Star Families who serve and protect our nation each day,” Daffron said.

Daffron wanted to make the experience special for military personnel, so she went through the museum in order to find information about military-related history within the history of the Pony Express.

“And I thought, ‘But what value does it give to them?’” Daffron said. “So I took our brochure and went through the museum and found two pages worth of information. Thirty-seven of these guys (Pony Express riders) are military-related in some way and shape.”

There are several stars set up throughout the museum denoting exhibits that have military importance.

The Blue Star Museum Program is a collaboration between the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense and museums across America.

“Hey we’re Blue Star, we’re proud of it and we’ve got the stars to show you,” Daffron said.

The Pony Express Museum is located at 914 Penn St. and operates all days of the week.

The Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art and the Remington Nature Center in St. Joseph are also a part of the Blue Star Program.