Guest Services Information & Policies

Visitor policies are carefully established to provide a balance between the best experience for all visitors while protecting the Museum facility and collections.

 

  • Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.
  • Food, drinks, and gum are prohibited in all areas beyond the ticket gate, all gallery spaces, and the Discovery Room. An exception is made for baby bottles containing water, milk, or formula only, no juice. Sippy cups and juice boxes are not bottles and are not allowed beyond the ticket gate.
  • Covered containers of water are allowed in all areas of the Museum.
  • Food and drinks are permitted in the Expeditions Meeting Room, Engel Education Center, and the Seibel Lobby.
  • Sternberg Museum-hosted group visitors with prior reservations, including school groups and camp programs, may serve lunches for their entire group in the Expeditions Meeting Room and Engel Education Center.
  • School groups without prior reservations may not serve lunches for their group on our site.
  • Museum Birthday Party attendees are able to bring party refreshments which can be eaten in the assigned room rented during the designated hours of the Birthday Party. Birthday Parties must be reserved in advance on a first-come-first-served basis. More about Museum Birthday Parties.
  • No organized group meetings or gatherings are allowed in Expeditions Meeting Room, Engel Education Center, and the Seibel Lobby without prior reservations.
  • Because of the danger of wildland fires, smoking and campfires are not permitted on the Dr. Howard Reynolds Nature Trails, west of the Sternberg Museum.
  • Visitors using the trails are encouraged to follow the 7 principles of the Leave No Trace Ethics™. To learn more about Leave No Trace Ethics™, visit their website. 
  • Trails close at 8 pm or at sunset, whichever comes first.
  • Balloons are not permitted onsite at the Museum or the nature trails without permission.
  • Pets are allowed to walk the trails as long as they are on a leash. Owners must pick up after their pets on the trails. Green pet stations are available throughout the trails. 
  • Photography and videography by our visitors are encouraged. However, all media created by visitors must be for personal, noncommercial use only. Media composed primarily of exhibition objects, rather than Museum visitors, may not be posted publicly or offered for sale by the photographer.
  • Anyone wishing to create any form of media for commercial use must make advance arrangements with the Sternberg Museum, and execute a written agreement. For more information contact our Administration Office.
  • Media equipment such as tripods, lighting, etc., which impedes other visitors or obstruct walkways is prohibited during opening hours.
  • Purchase of admission implies consent for visitors to be photographed by the Sternberg Museum of Natural History and for visitors’ likeness to be used in Sternberg Museum’s promotional materials without compensation or further consent.
  • All galleries and facilities are wheelchair accessible. Motorized wheelchairs are permitted.
  • No roller skates, rollerblades, skateboards, or shoes with embedded wheels (“Heelies”) are allowed to be used inside the building.
  • Service animals are permitted inside the Museum.
  • Companion animals are not permitted inside and may not be left unattended on our site.
  • Children must be attended by an adult during their visit to the Museum.
  • Visitors are expected to comply with instructions from the Sternberg Museum of Natural History staff and Fort Hays State University’s security officers. Visitors refusing to comply with security directives will be escorted out of the building.

 

Additional Questions? Contact Us