Museum Honors Veterans Day by Offering Free Admission to Veterans Nov. 7

(COOPERSTOWN, NY) – The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum celebrates Hall of Famers’ service to their country year-round in the iconic Plaque Gallery.

And on Nov. 7, the Hall of Fame will partner with the New York State Division of Veterans’ Affairs to offer all military veterans free admission to the home of baseball in Cooperstown.

In honor of Veterans Day, all Veterans will be admitted to the Museum free of charge with proof of Veteran status that includes one of the following:

- U.S. Department of Defense Form 214
- United States Department of Veterans Affairs ID Card
- New York State Driver's License with Veteran distinguishing mark

Twenty-year career retired military and active duty military receive free Museum admission every day the Hall of Fame is open, and Veterans receive discounted admission on all days as well.

“It is our honor to celebrate Veterans’ service to our country every day at the Hall of Fame, and we are especially pleased to offer free admission to all Veterans on Nov. 7 with the assistance of the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs,” said Jeff Idelson, President of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. “Baseball and the military have shared a common past for nearly as long as the United States has been a nation, and the story of baseball could not be told without the sacrifice of Veterans both on and off the field.”

Sixty-eight of the 323 Hall of Famers interrupted their baseball careers for military service, and each is recognized with a medallion below their plaque in the Museum’s Plaque Gallery.

The New York State Division of Veterans Affairs will have staff available at the Hall of Fame all day on Nov. 7 to inform Veterans and their families about the federal and state benefits that they have earned, and to help them file claims and appeals for those benefits.

“As a Veteran and avid baseball fan myself, I appreciate the opportunity to bond with my fellow Veterans over America’s Pastime and to see how many of those who have played this beloved game also served,” said Joel Evans, the Executive Deputy Director of the New York State Division of Veterans Affairs. “We are so happy to have this opportunity to work with the National Baseball Hall of Fame and create an enjoyable opportunity for all Veterans to visit and connect with one another.”

The Hall of Fame will offer special Museum programs Nov. 7, including:

10:30 a.m. – Plaques of the Gallery Tour
Aimed at visitors of all ages, this program educates visitors about the history of the Hall of Fame gallery and the process by which each plaque is made and installed in this 20-minute guided tour.

11:30 a.m. – Curator Spotlight: Moe Berg exhibit
Visitors will have the opportunity to go on a special guided tour of the Museum’s newest exhibit, Moe Berg: Big League Spy, led by a Hall of Fame Curator. This tour provides visitors the unique opportunity to learn about the creation process behind the Hall of Fame exhibits.

1:30 p.m. – Artifact Spotlight: Military Artifacts
Hall of Fame staff members share the stories of some of the Museum’s artifacts not currently on exhibit. This presentation will highlight items related to baseball and the military.

On Veterans Day – Sunday, Nov. 11 – the Museum will present a Veterans Day Celebration, including the distribution of American Flags to Museum visitors and an Operation Gratitude program from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m., where visitors can stop by the Learning Center on the Museum’s first floor and write a letter to soldiers and veterans.

All programs are included with Museum admission.