Adopted by the Louisville Historical Commission
July 6, 2016

The Louisville Historical Museum and its collection are owned by the City of Louisville and are supported by the taxes of the citizens of the City of Louisville. The mission of the Historical Museum, in part, is to preserve the history of Louisville. 

The City asks for your assistance in preserving and showing respect for the irreplaceable treasures of our community’s history at the Historical Museum, including the historical buildings that make up the Museum campus, so that they can be enjoyed and utilized by future visitors and researchers.

Inappropriate Behavior 

Individuals engaging in inappropriate behavior that infringes on the rights of others, results in injury to oneself or others, or threatens loss or damage to other individuals or Museum property will be asked to leave. In some cases, legal action may follow. In the Historical Museum buildings, visitors may not engage in inappropriate behavior such as the following:

• Touching artifacts or other items in the Museum’s collection; Museum staff and volunteers may handle items with care and knowledge of preservation methods
• Eating or drinking, other than drinking from covered containers; Food and drink may be left in the Museum office area during your visit
• Taking photos of historical photographs; To obtain copies of historical photographs, please refer to the Museum’s Photo Reproduction Policy & Agreement
• Abusing or vandalizing Museum facilities, materials, or equipment
• Running
• Smoking or vaping
• Soliciting
• Stealing
• Lacking shoes or shirt
• Engaging in visible drug or alcohol intoxication
• Engaging in disruptive cell phone usage
• Leaving young children unsupervised
• Loitering, including refusing to leave the premises upon closing
• Abusing or harassing other visitors or the Museum staff
• Bringing animals, other than service dogs, into the Museum
• Bringing bicycles into the Museum
• Refusing to show ID or submit possessions for inspection by Museum staff upon request
• Engaging in any unlawful behavior or any other behavior that unreasonably interferes with the safe or reasonable use of the Museum by other visitors or staff

In addition, visitors are requested to refrain from openly displaying weapons.

While on the Historical Museum grounds, visitors may not engage in inappropriate behavior such as the following:

• Skating, including using skateboards, skates, inline skates, and scooters
• Climbing trees
• Leaving young children unsupervised
• Engaging in any unlawful behavior or any other behavior that unreasonably interferes with the safe or reasonable use of the Museum by other visitors or staff

Pencils are to be used when viewing photographs, archives, or research materials.

Photography, other than of specific historical photos, is permitted and welcomed.

Electioneering and/or petitioning of patrons within City buildings is not allowed; such activities may occur on public sidewalks outside the City building but shall not block passage by other users of the sidewalk and shall be conducted in accordance with applicable laws.