He’s battling Captain America on the big screen but he’s also appearing at the California Museum in Sacramento through August! One of the 2000 participating Blue Star Museums this summer, the California Museum is displaying the original “Iron Man” (2008) costume on loan from actor Robert Downey Jr. He is among the current class of inductees into the California Hall of Fame housed at the museum. Also featured in the exhibition are Kristi Yamaguchi’s 1992 Olympic gold medal-winning performance dress, Lester Holt’s 1977 NBC rejection letter, David Hockney’s iPad self-portrait and more.

While you are there, snap a photo and share it with #bluestarmuseums and thank the California Museum for participating for the 3rd year in the program. After your visit, go to www.bluestarfam.org and enter the Way Cool Creativity Contest for a chance at winning amazing prizes!

For some great insight on the California Museum, here are some thoughts from Brenna Hamilton, Communications & Marketing Director:

What makes the California Museum a great destination for active duty military families?

As the official state history museum and home of the California Hall of Fame, the California Museum is a great destination for military families this summer to explore over 10,000 years of the state’s history, arts and culture for free through Blue Star Museums.

Whether you’re 7, 70 (or somewhere in between), there is sure to be an exhibit that will interest you. Our exhibits are designed to be family-friendly and cover a wide range of California’s history, arts and culture, beginning with the state’s Native peoples as far back as 7000 B.C. in “California Indians: Making a Difference.”

Visitors of all ages enjoy “California Missions: A Journey Along the El Camino Real” exploring state’s transformation into a thriving frontier on the verge of U.S. statehood. It covers the history of missions across the state and includes fascinating artifacts such as a hand-written document by Father Junípero Serra and a cape from the expedition led by Gaspar de Portolá, the first governor of Alta California.

For those more into recent history, the California Hall of Fame currently features contemporary stories of inductees like Robert Downey Jr, who loaned the original “Iron Man” suit from the first 2008 film, and Kristi Yamaguchi, who loaned her 1992 Olympic gold-winning performance dress and skates. Or, see the Kentucky Derby and Preakness trophies in “California Chrome: A Race for the Dream,” chronicling the inspirational story of “the people’s horse” who rose from his foaling in Coalinga, CA to become an international symbol of the California dream.”