The Louisville Historical Museum’s Collections Management Policy outlines how the Museum preserves, cares for, and makes accessible the artifacts, documents, and images that tell the story of Louisville’s diverse history. Adopted by the Historical Museum Advisory Board, the policy defines the scope of the Museum’s collections, establishes standards for responsible stewardship, and guides staff, volunteers, and donors in ensuring that these materials remain protected and available for future generations.
Museum Policies
The Historical Museum Advisory Board reviews and revises these policies. If you have questions about a policy, please email the Museum team at or call (303) 335-4850.
Photo Reproduction and Agreement
The Louisville Historical Museum’s Photograph Reproduction Terms & Conditions outline how the Museum manages the responsible use, reproduction, and crediting of its historic images. These guidelines help protect the integrity of the collection, ensure proper attribution, and clarify the permissions, fees, and requirements for both commercial and non‑commercial users seeking to utilize Museum photographs.
The Louisville Historical Museum is an inclusive place that strives to collect and share the story of Louisville through its historic artifacts, programs, and buildings. 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. We request visitors to the Museum respect and show consideration for the Museum’s collections, staff, and other visitors.
In order to provide a safe and welcoming environment for visitors of all ages and abilities, all visitors are expected to
Respect historic artifacts, historic buildings, and grounds.
- Avoid touching artifacts or other items in the Museum’s collection. Museum staff and volunteers may handle items with care and knowledge of preservation methods
- No eating or drinking, other than drinking from covered containers
- Don’t take photos of historical photographs. To obtain copies of historical photographs, please refer to the Museum’s Photo Reproduction Policy & Agreement
- No running, climbing, or skating, including use of skates, skateboards, and scooters on the Museum campus
Be considerate and respectful of others.
- Don’t abuse or harass other visitors or the Museum staff
- Avoid excessive noise that disrupts other Museum visitors
- Wear shoes and shirt
- Don’t litter or leave trash on the Museum grounds
- Leave promptly at closing
- No obscene language or hate speech
Act legally and ethically, per Louisville City Codes and Ordinances
- Only service dogs are allowed in the Museum buildings, please refrain from bringing in pets
- No smoking or vaping
- No visible drug or alcohol intoxication
- No abuse, vandalism, or theft of Museum facilities, artifacts, grounds, or equipment
- Louisville City code prohibits possessing a firearm on Museum premises
- No physical, sexual, or verbal abuse, bullying, or harassment of Museum visitors or staff
- No soliciting, electioneering, or petitioning within City buildings
- Do not engage 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
Please supervise all children. Caregivers should stay with vulnerable visitors.
Comply with other policies and directions from Museum Staff.
- Visitors who do not comply with the above policies and who are engaging in inappropriate behavior may be asked to leave the Museum premises
The Louisville Historical Museum strives to engage the community, collect, preserve, and share the history of Louisville, and refine and promote the vision for the future of the Museum campus. Volunteers are integral to the success of the Museum in meeting these goals.
Applicants:
- A volunteer is an individual, 13 years or older, who assists with work done for the Louisville Historical Museum without compensation from the Museum or the City of Louisville.
- Volunteers under 18 years of age must have the consent of their parent or legal guardian.
- Volunteer applicants under the age of 18 will provide two adult, non-relative references.
- The City will conduct criminal background investigations on all Museum volunteers 18 years and older.
- A City volunteer application, references and background investigation will be cleared by Human Resources before a volunteer can begin work at the Museum.
Additional Information:
- The services of volunteers are intended to supplement and support, not replace, the work done by the Museum staff. No volunteer shall perform all of the tasks required of a paid staff position.
- Volunteers will work directly with staff members to receive training. Volunteers will be assigned a primary staff member for training, but any staff member may provide guidance to any volunteer.
- Volunteers may be asked to work on projects that support staff efforts. Examples include being a tour guide and talking with visitors, assisting with the Museum’s Oral History Program, or clerical tasks to support daily operations or special projects. Museum staff work with volunteers to find appropriate projects and duties for volunteers’ interests.
- There will be no formal evaluation process for volunteers.
- Anything created while performing your duties as a volunteer and under the direction of the Museum staff is owned by the City of Louisville.
- Volunteers consent to the City’s use of photos taken of them while at the Museum.
- Neither the City of Louisville nor the Louisville Historical Museum will provide medical, health, accident, or any other type of insurance coverage for volunteers. Volunteers will not be eligible to receive workers compensation benefits for any injuries sustained while volunteering.
- Nothing in this policy shall be deemed to create a contract between the volunteer and the Louisville Historical Museum or the City of Louisville.
- Both the volunteer and the Museum staff have the right to terminate the position at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.
- Volunteers receive complimentary annual membership to the Louisville Historical Museum which includes the quarterly Louisville Historian in the mail.