Napa Valley Museum offers free admission to first responders Sept. 11-13

Napa Valley Museum will open both of its Napa Valley sites for free to first responders during First Responder Recognition Weekend, Sept. 11-13, 2026. The offer coincides with the anniversary of Sept. 11 and pairs remembrance with special exhibitions in St. Helena and Yountville.

Why it matters: - The free-admission weekend gives first responders access to two museum sites as a public gesture of thanks for their service. - The observance ties the anniversary of Sept. 11 to reflection on sacrifice, civic duty and community memory. - The event also draws visitors to two current exhibitions that frame the weekend around art, remembrance and American identity.

What happened: - Napa Valley Museum will offer free admission to first responders at both Napa Valley locations during First Responder Recognition Weekend, Sept. 11-13, 2026. - The weekend is held in observance of the anniversary of Sept. 11. - First responders can visit Napa Valley Museum of Art & Culture, known as The MAC, in St. Helena, or Napa Valley Museum Yountville. - Free admission requires a current department ID or other official identification. - Regular admission applies to all other visitors.

The details: - At The MAC in St. Helena, visitors can see "The Wyeths: Three Generations | Works from the Bank of America Collection," including the Patriot’s Gallery. - The Wyeth exhibition features works by N.C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth and Jamie Wyeth. - The exhibition explores themes of family, place, imagination, service and American identity across three generations. - The Patriot’s Gallery focuses on American patriotism and how art can shape remembrance and civic spirit. - At Napa Valley Museum Yountville, visitors can see "Mary Blair: Mid-Century Magic." - The Mary Blair exhibition highlights Blair’s work in animation, design and visual storytelling. - The exhibit centers on Blair’s bold use of color, shape and pattern. - The exhibit presents Blair as one of the most influential artists and designers of the 20th century. - The MAC is at 607 St. Helena Highway in St. Helena and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Napa Valley Museum Yountville is at 55 Presidents Circle in Yountville and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - More information is available at www.napavalleymuseum.org. - "The Wyeths: Three Generations | Works from the Bank of America Collection" was loaned through the Bank of America Art in our Communities® program.

Between the lines: - Laura Rafaty, executive director of Napa Valley Museum, said museums can provide a meaningful space for reflection, gratitude and connection on moments of national remembrance. - The museum is using the weekend to connect its exhibitions with a broader civic message about service and loss. - The pairing of a patriotic art exhibition and a design-focused retrospective gives the museum two different ways to interpret the weekend’s theme. - Napa Valley Museum also positioned itself as a growing regional institution with two locations and broader programming beyond this event.

What's next: - First Responder Recognition Weekend runs Sept. 11-13, 2026. - Visitors can use the weekend to view the featured exhibitions at both sites. - Napa Valley Museum will continue offering exhibitions, educational programs and events across its Yountville and St. Helena locations. - Social updates are available from The MAC on Instagram and Facebook.

The bottom line: - Napa Valley Museum is turning the Sept. 11 anniversary into a weekend of free access, remembrance and recognition for first responders.