Albany Herald

Photo by J.D. Sumner

ALBANY, Ga: One click, get a tick...et.

Thronateeska Heritage Museum and the Wetherbee Planetarium will offer free admission Saturday as a part of the sixth annual Museum Day.

But before Thronateeska's doors open and the planetarium's velvet ropes part, patrons interested in getting free admission have to print the free ticket from Smithsonian.com -- the complete web address is www.smithsonian.com/museumday

The museum day festivities are meant to promote access to the nation's museums and cultural institutions free of charge in a nod to the nation's official museum, the Smithsonian Institution, which has free admission to most of its museums year-round.

According to organizers, 300,000 people attended 1,300 venues across the nation last year during the event.

"Museums provide education, fun and opportunities for families or individuals to experience our world through history, great art or exploring science. All Americans, whatever our age, social or economic status or level of education, are fortunate to have local, state and national museums to visit and thereby improve our quality of life." Anne Churchwell Stokes, President of Thronateeska Heritage Foundation, Inc., said in a press release.

Those who don't have Internet access can print the ticket from computers at any of the branches of the Dougherty County Library System. Admission to the museum is free regardless of the promotion, but the Wetherbee Planetarium does have a $3.50 admission fee per person without a ticket.

Thronateeska's Museums and Planetarium will be open on Saturday 10 a.m. to 4p.m. Shows in the Wetherbee Planetarium are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m.

According to their website, Thronateeska is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, located at 100 West Roosevelt Avenue, "whose mission is to inspire wonder and stimulate exploration of science and South Georgia's history by providing a dynamic learning experience.