Health & Safety Protocols for Visitors

Health & Safety Protocols for Visitors

Welcome to LancasterHistory! We’ve made some changes to our programs, facilities, and offerings in order to provide as safe an environment as possible for you. Below are important protocols for visitors to LancasterHistory, including President James Buchanan’s Wheatland and the Tanger Arboretum. These procedures have been developed with guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other state health policies.

This page was last reviewed and/or updated on October 31, 2023.

Before Your Visit

Ticketing & Timed Entry

  • All our admissions and programs currently have limited capacity to limit crowding throughout our facilities. Therefore, we encourage visitors and members to reserve their tickets in advance to assist LancasterHistory in maintaining appropriate capacities. At-door tickets may be available but are not guaranteed.

Face Masks & Coverings

  • Face masks are encouraged, but not required, while onsite at LancasterHistory. A limited supply of complimentary surgical masks are available by request at Visitor Services for those who forgot their mask or wish to wear one.

Check In With How You’re Feeling

  • Visitors who are feeling ill, experiencing flu-like symptoms, or have knowingly been exposed to someone with flu-like symptoms or COVID-19 should not enter the property and are encouraged to stay home and seek medical care. LancasterHistory is happy to reschedule or refund your reservation and will welcome you back when you are feeling better!

Food, Water, & Restrooms

  • Limited quick snack (example: pack of sandwich crackers) and drink items (soda, water bottles) are available LancasterHistory’s Café Cart. Water fountains are available with disposable cups provided. Visitors are welcome to bring their own water bottles on-site if the bottles can be securely closed. Bottles or cups of water are welcome in the lobby and locker spaces, but are not allowed in Wheatland, the Research Center, or the exhibitions.
  • Restrooms are available on both floors of the museum. An all-gender, single, lockable stall restroom is available on the museum’s lower level.

During Your Visit

Check In

  • Visitors that have reserved tickets in advance should arrive at least 10-15 minutes prior to their timed entry and should present their tickets on either printed paper or a mobile device. All visitors should check-in or purchase their tickets at LancasterHistory’s main museum building located at 230 North President Avenue, Lancaster. (This is the modern, brick building with a wave-like roof.)
  • Visitors must retain their printed or electronic ticket while visiting and have them available to show if requested.
  • Walk-in tickets may be available but are not guaranteed. We highly recommend all visitors to reserve their tickets in advance to avoid disappointment.

Maintain Good Hygiene Habits

  • Visitors should maintain good hygiene while on-site, including washing their hands for at least 20 seconds or using hand sanitizer. Hand sanitizing stations are available in our lobby for visitors’ convenience.

After Your Visit

If within 14 days after your visit you test positive for COVID-19 or learn you have been recently exposed to someone who has, please let us know for the health and safety of our staff, volunteers, and other visitors.  LancasterHistory can be reached at 717.392.4633 or at info@lancasterhistory.org

Staff and Volunteers & Cleaning Protocols

We’re doing our best to maintain as safe and clean environment for all visitors:

  • Plexiglass shields have been installed in interactive areas such as Visitor Services and the Museum Store.
  • High-touch areas such as door handles, desks, and computer keyboards and mice will be sanitized throughout the day.

Admission Disclaimer and Waiver

LancasterHistory has taken enhanced health and safety measures to protect our staff, volunteers, and visitors from communicable diseases, including COVID-19, based on current governmental and health organization recommendations.

The risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in every public space where people are present. COVID-19 is a serious, contagious disease that can lead to severe illness and even death. Senior citizens and visitors with underlying medical conditions are particularly vulnerable.

By visiting LancasterHistory, you voluntarily assume all risks of exposure to COVID-19.

In consideration of being permitted to enter and to utilize the facilities, services, and programs of LancasterHistory, Ticketholders voluntarily agree (1) to assume all risks and to accept sole responsibility for any injury to themselves, for any loss or damage, and (2) to release LancasterHistory and its employees for any claim or demands on account of any loss or injury, whether caused by the negligence of LancasterHistory or its employees, while Ticketholder is in, upon, or about LancasterHistory’s premises or any facilities or equipment therein or participating in any program affiliated with LancasterHistory. Ticketholder further agrees to hold harmless LancasterHistory and its employees from any claims based on any actions, omissions, or negligence of LancasterHistory in connection with Ticketholder’s activities as described, including any claims relating to any communicable diseases, including COVID-19, as to which risks the Ticketholder acknowledges and voluntarily assumes.

 

If you have questions about your visit or the above protocols, please contact us at 717.392.4633 or at info@lancasterhistory.org. Thank you, and we hope you enjoy your visit!