Museums and Galleries Visitor Policy

Washington and Lee University Academics Libraries and Museums Museums and Galleries Visitor Policy

Washington and Lee University (W&L) is committed to providing a welcoming educational environment for visitors through the exhibition and interpretive analysis of W&L’s public collections in the Art Museum, Institutional History Museum and Galleries, and Staniar Gallery.

Admission and Hours of Operation

W&L welcomes visitors to the museums and galleries free of charge during visiting hours, which are posted on W&L’s website, and are subject to change:

Please check the hours on the University website prior to your visit.

Accessibility Accommodations

Washington and Lee’s museums welcome visitors of all abilities. Please contact the respective museums ahead of your visit to discuss accommodations you may need.

Visitors to campus may use service animals in accordance with the University’s policy on Use of Service Animals on Campus. Visitors may not bring any animals not covered by the above policy into any of the museums or galleries.

Art and Objects

Please do not touch the art, objects on display, exhibitions, or related materials, unless otherwise indicated by signage.

Photography and Videography 

Personal Photography, defined as still photographs taken with a camera (including cell phone cameras), is allowed throughout the building if the flash has been disabled.

Recording (video or audio) or photographing other visitors, staff, tours, or programs is prohibited without prior permission from museum staff.

Visitors’ use of drones is prohibited on University property per university policy.

Professional photography and filming requests (news media, television, movies, commercials, documentaries) must be approved in advance by the museums and the University’s Communications Office by contacting communications@wlu.edu.

Questions about photography? Please contact the respective museums ahead of your visit to discuss your request.

Prohibited Activities

Use of the museums and galleries is subject to all University policies and guidelines, including but not limited to Washington and Lee’s policies on:

Additionally, the following activities are prohibited in the museums and galleries:

  • Eating and drinking in the museums and galleries except as permitted by museum staff for programs, special events, or openings
  • Possession of alcoholic beverages, controlled or prohibited substances, or entry into the facilities while under the influence of drugs/alcohol
  • Use of tobacco products in any form
  • Disorderly conduct, threatening or other disruptive behavior or language, including but not limited to interference with staff or museum operations
  • Weapons are prohibited on campus per the Weapons and Prohibited Items Policy
  • Displaying signs or distributing solicitations, advertisements, or other materials without prior approval from museum staff (see Non-Solicitation Policy)
  • Solicitation or collection of signatures from visitors or staff on a petition, or solicitation of donations or support for a cause, candidate, or charitable entity (see Non-Solicitation Policy)
  • Coolers, briefcases, backpacks, luggage, computer bags, camera bags, large purses or totes, seat cushions and seat backs are prohibited for guests who are not current students, faculty, or staff. Medically necessary items and diaper bags (with the presence of a child) or similar items will be permitted after inspection or consent of museum or security staff.
  • Leaving items such as florals, wreaths, coins, food, or similar items within the museum galleries. 

Guests with any prohibited item may be refused entry until the item is removed from campus. Failure to observe these guidelines may result in denial of access.   

Group Tours

Visiting groups are required to submit a request for a guided tour in advance using one of the following forms:

Tours led by non-museum and gallery staff must receive approval no less than seven (7) days before their visit. Internal and external tour groups will be reviewed based on museum capacity and group size, the safety and security of the collections, the impact on other visitors, consistency with the museum’s educational mission, and adherence to or prior violations of the conduct policy. 

Facility Rentals

For more information on use of W&L facilities please visit:

Removal Policy

Patrons who violate the museums’ conduct guidelines or create an unsafe environment for other patrons and staff may be asked to leave the museums and campus.  Those who are removed for policy violations on three separate occasions will be permanently banned from the museums and possibly from the campus. Should a single violation be so egregious that it creates a hostile/threatening environment (such as a violation of the campus’ harassment, weapons, or discrimination policies) or directly interferes with museum operations, the removal and ban may be immediate.