Photograph Credit: Hopewell Museum

Since I have written about our science museum membership from our vacations and monthly visits, I wanted a share my secret with you.

You see, I used to purchase a membership at our local science center which was part of ASTC (Association of Science-Technology Centers Incorporated).

As part of the ASTC, members of museums that participate get FREE admission into other ASTC museums.

So, as a member in South Carolina, our family could visit the reciprocal museums on the ASTC list in Florida when we visit my family.

This membership served us well until my son’s class took a field trip to North Carolina to visit a science museum on the reciprocal list. In preparing for that visit, I made a call to that museum to make sure our membership would gain our family FREE admission.

During that call, I was informed that because the museums were within 90 miles as the crow flies, then the North Carolina museum did not honor the South Carolina museum’s membership. Totally confused with the comment about how the crow flies, I asked for clarification because the driving distance is more than 90 miles.

I was told that it was measured directly, and the two museums were 86.7 miles apart. Since they were close, the NC museum was not required to accept the reciprocal membership.

After receiving that information, I called our museum to see if they were reciprocal with the North Carolina museum and was given a similar story. Just to make sure all my bases were covered, I also called the ASTC and was again informed that museums within 90 linear miles of each other were exempt from taking reciprocal memberships.

Finding our History and Science Museum Membership

Realizing that our local science membership was no longer meeting our needs, I began a search for another museum with a less than $50 annual family membership.

After going through the reciprocal list one museum after another, I finally found my favorite history and science museum membership.

You want to know where it is? . . . in Paris, Kentucky. Yes, the Historic Paris-Bourbon County/Hopewell Museum met and exceeded our family’s parameters.

The annual individual or family membership is $45. You can become a member by either filling out the form and mailing it to the museum or by calling (859.987.7274) and making a payment over the phone.

Since paying full price for one visit for our family to the North Carolina museum was more than the $45 annual membership at HPBC/Hopewell Museum, I called the museum, made a payment, and our membership cards arrived in time for my son’s field trip.

On the day of the field trip, the North Carolina museum gave us FREE admission since our Kentucky membership was outside the 90-mile radius.

Benefits of our History and Science Museum Membership

In addition to access to the science museums in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida, the HPBC/Hopewell Museum is also an historical museum.

At the time of our renewal, our membership cards also included the NARM (North American Reciprocal Museums) seal. This allows our family into over 600 historical and/or art museums in North Carolina.

Since our last renewal, this benefit has been removed from the $45 level membership but is included in the $100 level membership.

From the little bit of research I have done in sampling the reciprocal museums on the NARM list, the museum memberships from $100 and up include the NARM seal. I could not find a museum membership under $100 that included the history museums.

When we renew our membership later this year, we will upgrade to the annual $100 Supporters membership as we have a number of history museums in our area that we enjoy visiting.

Since each visit would cost around $25 and we usually visit 4 or more times a year, the annual membership is worth the investment with unlimited visits for one year.

Though our family has never visited the HPBC/Hopewell Museum, we actively enjoy our $45 family membership with the benefits of last year’s NARM inclusion. If you do not plan to use the NARM reciprocal museums, the $45 science museum membership is worth the investment and has a long list of ASTC reciprocal options.

As you plan your next getaway, you might find a science or history museum on your way. If you have a membership, you could receive FREE admission. My recommendation is to call ahead to verify that the museum still reciprocates, as policies change frequently.

Tracy’s Tip: If you live in the Kentucky vicinity, then you will want to find another science museum outside of the 90-mile radius to prevent any conflicts.

One option is the Great Valley Nature Museum in Pennsylvania where an annual family membership is $50 which includes the reciprocal science museums (ASTC) and reciprocal botanical gardens, arboretums, and conservatories through the AHS (American Horticultural Society).

Now that my secret is out, I hope you can enjoy the benefits of a science membership. Keep using time wisely with your family and friends while stretching your dollars. Happy savings!

Comment: If you know of another annual family science membership under $50 that includes the NARM benefits or the AHS benefits, then please post a comment with the details. Thank you!