We look forward to your visit. Please take some time to review the guidelines below.
Helpful Information
Download Your Digital Membership Card
Download Whaling Museum Interior Map
What to Do at the Whaling Museum: A Social Narrative to Plan for Your Visit
Code of Conduct
We ask all of our visitors to conduct themselves in a respectful way at the Whaling Museum and all NHA historic sites in accordance with this code of conduct and all laws and local ordinances.
View Research Library and collections facilities specific policies
General Behavior
- Disruptive behavior is prohibited.
- To preserve the artifacts on display, visitors are prohibited from touching any of the exhibits or displays.
- Pets are not permitted. Visitors who rely on service animals may bring them into the museum, provided that they are properly leashed and not disruptive.
View site-specific accessibility features - Minor children should not be left unattended.
- No eating, drinking or smoking is allowed in the Whaling Museum or other NHA properties except where expressly permitted.
- The solicitation of visitors or the selling of any items is prohibited.
- No smoking or vaping is allowed inside NHA buildings.
Personal Items
- Please check your backpacks and shopping bags in the self-service areas. The NHA is not responsible for lost items.
- Wear appropriate clothing. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times.
- Bicycles, scooters, tricycles, skateboards, inline skates or shoes with wheels are prohibited.
- No firearms or weapons are permitted anywhere on NHA property.
Photography, Video, and Audio Recording
- Visitors are welcome to take pictures for personal use, non-commercial use only. Flash photography is prohibited.
- Camera-extension devices (including selfie-sticks), video cameras, recording devices, tripods, monopods, lights, and other such equipment are not permitted without prior written approval from the NHA.
- Photographs cannot be published, sold, reproduced, transferred, distributed, or otherwise commercially exploited without the NHA’s consent.
- Movie or video camera use is prohibited during museum programming, including filming on personal cellular devices.
- For photography or videography of museum objects and galleries for commercial use, please contact [email protected].
Accessibility
The NHA is committed to ensuring that its facilities, exhibitions, and events are accessible to all individuals, including those with disabilities.
We recognize that the 17th, 18th, and 19th-century architecture of many of our sites may present difficulties for those with physical disabilities and we work hard to ensure guests with disabilities have a wonderful and inclusive experience. Interpreters in the Historic Sites will be glad to provide directions to accessible areas, and we are prepared to make accommodations as needed.
Service animals are welcome at all NHA locations. We follow the Federal government’s guidelines on service animals. The NHA welcomes dogs that are individually trained to perform a task or work for a person with a disability, but please leave pets at home.
View site-specific accessibility features