House Museum Visitation Policies
House Museum Visitation Policies
Historic Columbia has set the following policies in place for the care of our properties and collections, and the safety of our staff and visitors. Please review this page in its entirety prior to your visit.
Collections
We have an extensive collection of furniture, art, textiles, and small personal objects on display in our house museums. The handling of these objects by untrained professionals can lead to objects becoming damaged or broken. Even light touching of objects with hands–clean or dirty–leaves harmful oils on our objects that can cause the deterioration of materials over time. To ensure the safety of the objects – collections pieces and props alike–please do not touch any of the objects on view when enjoying your visit.
Photography
You are welcome to take photographs in our house museums for your personal, non-commercial use as long as selfie-sticks, tripods and flash photography are not used. Areas where photography is not allowed are marked with signage.
Strollers
Strollers are not allowed in our house museums. They can be left on porches while on tour.
Food and Drink
Food of any kind is not allowed in museum spaces. Water bottles are allowed, but they must remain closed and on your person at all times. You may not place them on any surface in any house museum.
Proper Attire
Shirts, pants, and shoes are required at all times. Stiletto heels are not allowed. We ask that you refrain from dressing in costume or period attire, as this may detract from other visitors’ experience.
Service Animals
ADA-approved service animals are allowed in HC’s historic house museums. These services include but are not limited to mobility aid, sensory aid, psychiatric aid, and condition alert. More information on service animals can be found here.
Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA and are not allowed in Historic Columbia’s museums.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
We recognize that 19th-century architecture poses some accessibility challenges and are always working to improve access to our homes for all our visitors. If you or your group have any accessibility concerns, please call 24 hours in advance of your tour so that we may best accommodate your needs. There is a small step to gain access to the Historic Columbia's Welcome Center where admission must be purchased. With 24-hour advance notice, we can place a ramp at the entrance to allow wheelchair access. Please contact (803) 252-1770 ext. 25 for more information about accessibility at any of Historic Columbia's properties. Weekend visitors should contact Historic Columbia during regular weekday business hours to plan for an upcoming visit.
Code of Conduct
Historic Columbia is committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive community, including addressing barriers to the full inclusion of historically underrepresented groups. Recognizing that multiple voices and perspectives enrich our work, we embrace a broad definition of diversity and are dedicated to ensuring an environment where differences are valued and respected and where all members of our community are wholly engaged participants in our mission. As such, visitors are expected to respect Historic Columbia staff and other visitors. Inappropriate behavior, including, but not limited to, yelling, swearing, intimidation, aggression, threats, violence, damage, or sexual harassment, will not be tolerated. Refusal to follow this Code of Conduct and any rules, be it in print or as directed by Historic Columbia staff, can result in the removal from the premises without a refund.