Before you arrive, here are some hints & rules to keep in mind:

Scheduling

• Submit an appointment request through our Research Inquiry Form prior to arrival. Please allow up to two business days for a response.
• See here for Research Hours & Fees.
• Please be sure to alert us if you are a member of the Valentine to enjoy your free or reduced research fee!
• Due to limited space, please let us know how many people will be in your research group at the time of scheduling.

Arrival & Registration

• Check in at the front desk in the museum’s lobby upon arrival.
• Researchers are required to complete a Researcher Registration Form prior to accessing the collection.
• Before or after your appointment, check out our exhibitions, take a tour of the 1812 John Wickham House, explore the Valentine Sculpture Studio, relax in the Valentine Garden and grab a bit at Garnett’s at the Valentine (Café). Museum admission is included in your research fee!

Personal Belongings

• Lockers are available in the museum lobby to secure belongings.

Permitted Items

• Pencils
• Notepaper
• Laptop
• Camera
• Cell phone

Prohibited Items

• Bags, purses and backpacks
• Food and drink
• Gum
• Pens
• Coats
• Scanners
• Tripods
• Photography lighting equipment

Object Handling

• All materials must remain in the respective research areas of the Valentine.
• No marks or erasures may be made on the documents or objects.
• Researchers wear gloves as directed by staff when handling collection items.
• Food, drink and gum are prohibited. Please finish consuming before you arrive.

Note-taking

• The use of ink pens for note-taking is prohibited. All note-taking must be done in pencil.
• Pencils and notepaper are available if needed.

Photography and Copies

• Photography and copying of collection items or documents is allowed for personal and research use only, provided that permission is granted by staff.
• Lighting, tripods or other photography equipment are prohibited.
• Flash photography is generally prohibited.
• Scanners are prohibited.
• Reproductions, replica, imitation, or copies of images and/or objects in the Valentine collection is prohibited without written permission from the Valentine.