Our Commitment

The Colored Girls Museum is committed to providing meaningful access to visitors with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

As a historic house museum, our collection includes original artwork, heirlooms, textiles, historic furnishings, and immersive installations that are irreplaceable. We strive to provide an accessible experience while preserving these cultural resources for future generations.

Definition of a Service Animal

In accordance with the ADA, a service animal is a dog that has been individually trained to perform specific work or tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.

Emotional support animals, comfort animals, therapy animals, and companion animals are not considered service animals under the ADA and are not permitted inside the museum unless otherwise required by law.

Planning Your Visit

The Colored Girls Museum operates by appointment only.

Visitors accompanied by service animals are encouraged to notify the museum in advance, so that staff can prepare for your visit!

Advance notice is appreciated but is not required under the ADA.

Upon Arrival

If it is not readily apparent that a dog is a service animal, museum staff may ask only:

1. Is the dog required because of a disability?

2. What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?

Staff will not ask:

• about the nature of a visitor's disability.

• for medical documentation

• for proof of certification or registration

• or that the dog demonstrate its task.

Visitor Responsibilities

Visitors accompanied by service animals agree to:

• Maintain control of the service animal at all times.

• Keep the dog leashed, harnessed, or tethered unless these devices interfere with the dog's work or the visitor's disability.

• Ensure the animal is housebroken.

• Prevent the animal from touching artwork, artifacts, furnishings, or installations.

• Prevent excessive barking, jumping, or disruptive behavior.

• Immediately clean up after the animal if necessary.

Protecting the Collection

Because The Colored Girls Museum is a living historic house filled with fragile and irreplaceable works of art:

• Staff may recommend alternate pathways around particularly delicate installations when doing so provides substantially equivalent access.

• Visitors may be asked to exercise additional caution in narrow stairways, intimate gallery spaces, and rooms containing floor-based artwork or sensitive materials.

• These measures are intended solely to protect the collection and ensure a safe experience for all visitors.

Removal of a Service Animal

Consistent with the ADA, a service animal may be removed only if:

• the animal is out of control, and the handler does not take effective action to control it.

• the animal is not housebroken.

• the animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of others that cannot be eliminated through reasonable modifications.

If a service animal must be removed, the visitor will be offered the opportunity to continue the museum experience without the animal whenever possible.

Questions or Accessibility Requests

The Colored Girls Museum welcomes conversations about accessibility before your visit.

Questions or accommodation requests may be directed to:

The Colored Girls Museum

4613 Newhall Street

Philadelphia, PA 19144

Email: thecoloredgirlsmuseum@gmail.com 

Website: www.thecoloredgirlsmuseum.com