National Museum of the Great Lakes Welcomes Community with Free Admission Weekend
January 14, 2026 (Toledo, Ohio) – The National Museum of the Great Lakes invites the community to visit with an extended weekend of FREE museum admission during its annual Community Appreciation Days, Saturday, January 17, through Monday, January 19.
Held in the spirit of community, service, and reflection inspired by the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, Community Appreciation Days offer visitors the opportunity to explore the museum at no cost.
“Community Appreciation Days are about opening our doors and welcoming everyone in,” said Kate Fineske, executive director of the National Museum of the Great Lakes. “The Great Lakes and their stories belong to all of us.”
During the three-day event, guests can enjoy the museum’s interactive exhibits, historic artifacts, and immersive storytelling that spans thousands of years of Great Lakes history. Pre-registration is not required, though visitors are welcome to reserve tickets in advance.
Following Community Appreciation Days, the National Museum of the Great Lakes will close on Tuesday, January 20, and remain closed through Friday, January 30, for annual cleaning and maintenance. The museum will reopen to the public on Saturday, January 31.
For more information about Community Appreciation Days or to reserve tickets, visit www.nmgl.org/events.
About the National Museum of the Great Lakes: The National Museum of the Great Lakes preserves, shares, and celebrates the past, present, and future of the Great Lakes story. As an interactive, experiential museum, we offer visitors the chance to explore thousands of years of history and stories through nine dynamic exhibit galleries—including a rotating temporary exhibition space—and two historic museum vessels, the Col. James M. Schoonmaker Museum Ship and the Museum Tug Ohio, plus the pilothouse of the storied St. Marys Challenger.
Founded in 1944 as the Great Lakes Historical Society, we have a long-standing commitment to education, research, and storytelling. Our initiatives include the publication of Inland Seas®, a quarterly journal of Great Lakes history since 1945 and decades of maritime preservation and archaeological exploration. Today, we strive to be the gathering place for Great Lakes conversations—welcoming all to connect with the stories, people, and innovations that have shaped and continue to influence this vital region.
WHAT: Community Appreciation Days
WHEN: Saturday, January 17 - Monday, January 19 | Museum Hours
WHERE: National Museum of the Great Lakes
1701 Front St., Toledo, OH 43605
ADMISSION: Free
MEDIA CONTACT: Ashley Streichert Lovejoy, 419-460-8181