OKLAHOMA CITY (June 22, 2026) — America’s Freedom Bell will make a special appearance at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum on Friday, June 26, as part of its nationwide journey leading up to America’s 250th anniversary.
During the visit, guests are invited to ring the bell in honor or memory of a family member, friend or loved one who has served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Visitors may also sign a commemorative guest book recognizing their service.
In honor of the bell’s visit, the Museum will offer free admission June 26 to all guests with a valid military ID, including active-duty service members, retired military personnel and veterans. The Museum will also continue to offer standard Blue Star Museums admission for active-duty military personnel and their spouses and dependents.
Special activities will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and America’s Freedom Bell will remain at the Museum until 5 p.m.
A special ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. and will include remarks from Museum President & CEO Pat Fitzgerald and representatives from America’s Freedom Bell, veteran recognition and a ceremonial bell ringing by Museum staff and volunteers who served in the military.
“America’s Freedom Bell offers a powerful opportunity to pause, remember and give thanks,” said Pat Fitzgerald, Museum President & CEO. “We are honored to welcome the bell to The Cowboy and to recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families.”
Event Schedule
10:30 a.m. — Freedom Bell Ceremony
The ceremony will include welcome remarks, veteran recognition and a ceremonial bell ringing by Museum staff and volunteers who served in the military.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — USO Oklahoma
Guests can learn more about the mission of USO Oklahoma and write thank-you cards to active-duty military personnel.
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Gallery Talks: Honoring Our Veterans from the American Frontier
Presented on the hour and half-hour in the Joe Grandee Gallery, these talks will explore stories of military courage, sacrifice and service on the western frontier.
About America’s Freedom Bell
America’s Freedom Bell was cast June 6, 2013, on the 69th anniversary of D-Day. The bell contains steel recovered from the World Trade Center following the Sept. 11 attacks and honors members of the Armed Forces past, present and future.
The bell has been featured at national events and historic locations across the country, including Independence Hall, Arlington National Cemetery, Pearl Harbor commemorations and Veterans Day ceremonies. More than 5 million Americans have rung the bell in honor of military service.
America’s Freedom Bell is traveling from its home in San Diego to Washington, D.C., where it will be rung at midnight July 3 at the official Countdown 250 Ball in celebration of America’s semi quincentennial.
Blue Star Museums
Active-duty military personnel and their families are eligible to receive free Museum admission through the Blue Star Museums program.
Blue Star Museums is a partnership among the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and participating museums across America. The program offers free admission to the nation’s active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve members.
The 2026 Blue Star Museums program runs from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 16, through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 7.
For more information about the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, visit nationalcowboymuseum.org.
About the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum
The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City is the nation’s premier institution dedicated to the history, art and culture of the American West. Founded in 1955, the Museum houses an internationally renowned collection of more than 28,000 Western and Native American art works and artifacts, including the world’s most extensive collections of American rodeo photography, barbed wire, saddlery and early rodeo trophies.
Through its exhibitions, programs and scholarship, the Museum preserves and interprets the evolving story of the West, illuminating the people, traditions and ideas that continue to shape American culture. With more than 10 million visitors from around the world, it stands as a leading authority on the enduring legacy of the American West.
A recent RegionTrack study found the museum will generate $313 million in economic impact for Oklahoma this decade, including $170 million in direct benefits through 2028 and $143 million in spillover effects, underscoring its role as both a cultural landmark and an economic driver.
For more information, visit thecowboy.org.
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