Free admission for Ohio 4th graders and their guests is thanks to program sponsors GE Aerospace, Nordson Corporation and Honda.
The John & Annie Glenn Museum and the National Road & Zane Grey Museum is inviting Ohio 4th grade families to explore local history for free this July through participation in America 250-Ohio’s 4th Grade History Pass Plus program.
Available July 1–31, 2026, the 4th Grade History Pass Plus allows Ohio students who completed fourth grade during the 2025–2026 school year to receive free general admission at participating history museums and historic sites across the state, along with up to three accompanying friends or family members.
Through the program, 4th grade families can visit John & Annie Glenn Museum and experience life as it was in 1962 when John Glenn orbited the earth or they can visit the National Road & Zane Grey Museum to learn about the first federally funded interstate, the National Road, and the ‘Father of the Modern Western’ Zane Grey.
Through the 4th Grade History Pass Plus, students who have completed fourth grade in the 2025–2026 school year may visit any of the approximately 41 participating sites throughout the month of July, bringing up to three guests or family members with them for free. The program is designed to be easy to access — passes are available to download digitally or print from america250-ohio.org/fourth-grade-history-pass-plus-july-2026. A full list of participating locations is available on the website.
The 4th Grade History Pass, launched by America 250-Ohio in February 2024, has connected thousands of Ohio fourth graders with the state’s rich history by providing free general admission to participating history-related museums and sites when accompanied by a paying adult. The new Plus program takes that mission a step further — making July 2026, the heart of America’s 250th anniversary summer, a moment for entire families to explore Ohio’s history together at no cost.
“Fourth grade is the year Ohio students dive deep into the history of their state and their country, and we’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when learning moves beyond the classroom and into the places where that history actually happened,” said Todd Kleismit, Executive Director of America 250-Ohio. “With the 4th Grade History Pass Plus, we wanted to give families the chance to make July 2026 a month they’ll never forget — exploring Ohio’s incredible historic sites together, for free, during the most significant anniversary our nation has ever celebrated.”
July 2026 marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and America 250-Ohio has designed the month to be filled with opportunities for Ohioans of all ages to engage with history, community and celebration. The 4th Grade History Pass Plus is one of several programs timed to make July a landmark month for Ohio families. Participating sites across the state — from the Ohio History Center and Cincinnati Museum Center to the Western Reserve Historical Society, Campus Martius Museum, Fort Meigs Historic Site and dozens more — offer immersive, hands-on experiences that bring Ohio’s contributions to the American story to life.
The 4th Grade History Pass Plus is made possible through the generous support of program sponsors GE Aerospace, Nordson Corporation and Honda, whose commitment to Ohio’s communities and its future generations has helped make this expanded offering possible.
“This initiative reflects Nordson’s commitment to education and expanding access to meaningful learning opportunities for students, and we’re proud to partner with America 250-Ohio to provide Ohio’s fourth graders foundational learning experiences. A museum visit can inspire curiosity, strengthen critical thinking and spark new interests for students and their families. There’s no better way to commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary than investing in the next generation of Ohioans,” said Maria Spangler, Director of the Nordson Corporation Foundation.
Families can learn more about the 4th Grade History Pass Plus, download or print their pass, and find a full list of participating sites and locations by visiting america250-ohio.org/fourth-grade-history-pass-plus-july-2026.
Pass Restrictions:
The 4th Grade History Pass Plus is valid for free general admission for one fourth grade student and up to three accompanying family members. The pass must be presented at the time of visit as either a digital version on a smartphone or a printed copy. The program is valid only for students who completed fourth grade during the 2025–2026 school year and is valid July 1–31, 2026, at participating sites. The pass is not valid for field trips or group visits. Additional restrictions may apply.
