20 Georgia museums to offer free admission during Smithsonian's 2017 Museum Day Live!

Behind the high-level security at the CDC is the David J. Sencer CDC Museum where curator Lois Shaw has developed a large collection of long-standing installations focusing on CDC highlights through history. The museum displays old technologies and highlights information and history of AIDS, smallpox, Legionnaires' Disease, venereal disease, ebola and much more. (Jenni Girtman / Atlanta Event Photography)

Credit: Nedra Rhone

Credit: Nedra Rhone

Behind the high-level security at the CDC is the David J. Sencer CDC Museum where curator Lois Shaw has developed a large collection of long-standing installations focusing on CDC highlights through history. The museum displays old technologies and highlights information and history of AIDS, smallpox, Legionnaires' Disease, venereal disease, ebola and much more. (Jenni Girtman / Atlanta Event Photography)

Smithsonian magazine has announced Saturday, September 23 as the 2017 Museum Day Live! Museums nationwide will offer free entry to anyone who holds a branded ticket.

This is the 13th annual event which was designed to allow museums across the country to emulate the spirit of the Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C. that offer free admission every day.

More than 1,300 museums are expected to participate. Currently, at least 20 Georgia institutions are taking part in the event including three Smithsonian affiliates: the David J. Sencer CDC Museum which is usually closed on Saturdays but will open its doors specifically for this event; the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville and Georgia's Old Governor's Mansion in Milledgeville. More museums are being added in the coming weeks, visit s mithsonian.com/museumday/venues for a list of participating museums searchable by state.

This year, Museum Day Live! is partnering with Microsoft to offer interactive lessons. Minecraft: Education Edition can be downloaded at participating museums and used to enhance the experience on Museum Day Live! After the event, Microsoft will give schools access to the program which is based on Smithsonian materials.

“We are all about access for everyone to cultural gems everywhere and Museum Day Live! makes that available,” said Amy Wilkins, Chief Revenue Officer at Smithsonian Media in a statement. “Having Microsoft as a partner to activate in schools and museums is a natural next step. ”

To participate in Museum Day Live!, you must download a ticket beginning August 25. You can only get one ticket per email address, but the ticket allows free access for the ticket holder and one guest at any of the participating venues.

For more information visit smithsonian.com/museumday.