Colonial Williamsburg will throw open its gates to the military community for nearly a week, offering free admission from Friday, Nov. 6, through Wednesday, Nov. 11, to active-duty service members, reservists, retirees, veterans, National Guardsmen and their immediate dependents. The offer culminates on Veterans Day with a fife-and-drum procession from Capitol Circle to the Governor's Palace, where a commemoration ceremony and wreath-laying will follow.
According to MilitaryNews.com, the free tickets come through the Honoring Service to America program, which has distributed complimentary admission during Memorial Day and Veterans Day weekends since 2015. The program is funded by a grant from Colonial Williamsburg's partner, The Home Depot Foundation, which has a stated commitment to improving the homes and lives of U.S. military veterans and their families. The free-admission window gives guests access not just to the Historic Area but also to the Art Museums, the Campbell Archaeology Center and programming in the Hennage Auditorium.
How Military Families Can Claim Tickets
Qualifying guests must visit an on-site ticket sales location and present proper identification to receive their free passes; the offer is not available for advance online purchase. Veterans who separated before reaching retirement can use a copy of their honorable discharge paperwork, form DD 214, as proof of service. Dependents aged 10 and older need a valid dependent ID, and minor dependents must be accompanied by an adult.
Service members themselves do not need to be present for their qualifying family to receive free tickets, and dependent family members of currently deployed troops can use the offer with appropriate identification even if the service member is overseas. Anyone with questions about eligibility can call the Honoring Service to America program at 855-296-6627.
Veterans Day Procession Honors Local Veterans
On Veterans Day, Colonial Williamsburg's tribute begins at 3:30 p.m. at Capitol Circle with a military march featuring the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums and members of local veterans' groups, all are invited to join the procession. Martha Washington will open the event with remarks before joining the march as it moves toward Palace Green and on to the Governor's Palace, where the day closes with a commemoration ceremony and wreath-laying.
A Quiet Corner for Military Guests
Tucked in the Historic Area directly behind the Millinery on East Duke of Gloucester Street, the Liberty Lounge gives ticketed military guests a complimentary space to relax, grab refreshments and swap stories with fellow veterans. Since opening its doors in June 2016, the lounge has welcomed nearly 400,000 service members and their families, per the same MilitaryNews.com report.
The Veterans Day week offer follows a similar push by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in May, when the museum offered free tickets throughout the month to active-duty military, veterans, retirees, National Guard members and immediate dependents, as The Daily Press reported at the time. Beyond these free-admission windows, Colonial Williamsburg also extends year-round military discounts on its hotels, dining, retail, golf and spa services.
