(a) Policy.

1. (1)

   1. (A) The Old State House is operated as a historic structure and museum.
   2. (B) Its resources are used to encourage understanding and enjoyment of the state’s history by all people.

2. (2)

   1. (A) The museum in the Old State House presents and interprets the history of Arkansas through two (2) major program areas:

(i) The political history of the state; and

1. (ii) Home life in historic Arkansas with emphasis on the period since the time of the Civil War.

   1. (B) Long-term exhibits are installed on topics central to:

      1. (i) The political history of the state;
      2. (ii) Home life since the Civil War; and
      3. (iii) The historic structure.
   2. (C) A program of temporary exhibits is designed to expand upon the permanent exhibits and encourage return visitation.
   3. (D) Interpretive materials and programs that further illustrate the state’s history are provided to the general public and to school children.
   4. (E) All of these interpretive services are based on the purpose of the museum, with programs for school children designed to complement and expand the public school curriculum.

   5. (F) The Old State House conducts research and publishes in the areas of:

      1. (i) State political history;
      2. (ii) Home life since the time of the Civil War; and
      3. (iii) The historic structure.
2. (3) In all of these programs and services, the Old State House adheres and contributes to professional museum standards.

(b) Public access.

1. (1) The Old State House is a history museum within a historic site.

2. (2) Our first responsibility is to:

   1. (A) The building; and
   2. (B) Its collections and programs.
3. (3) Within certain limits the building is available for appropriate uses.

4. (4) Members of the Old State House Museum Associates receive up to a twenty percent (20%) discount on rentals.

   1. (c) Private use.
5. (1) In addition to the public events sponsored or cosponsored by the commission and to public events that contribute directly to the purpose of the Old State House, the commission allows private use by individuals and organizations.
6. (2) No private use may interfere with the operation of the Old State House as a public museum facility, and a reasonable charge is made for each private use.
7. (3) The area available, the duration of the use, and the number of participants may be limited for reasons of safety to the public or security to the Old State House.

8. (4)

   1. (A) Applications for private use of the Old State House:

      1. (i) Are made in writing to the Director of the Old State House Commission at least two (2) weeks prior to the event; and
      2. (ii) Must include a complete plan for the proposed use.

   2. (B)

      1. (i) A decision is made by the director or the director’s designee based on the information provided by the applicant.
      2. (ii) The decision is communicated in writing to the applicant within one (1) week of receipt of the request.

   3. (C) Specific conditions governing the use of the Old State House:

      1. (i) Will accompany the reply; and
      2. (ii) Must be accepted by the applicant before the event.
   4. (D) A nonrefundable charge is made, payment of which must be received before the date of the event.

   5. (E) Final confirmation of building use will not be made until the commission’s conditions are accepted by the applicant and full payment is received by the commission.

      1. (d) Historic relationships.

9. (1) In recognition of their participation in and contributions to the preservation of the Old State House, the commission has dedicated permanently certain exhibit areas in the Old State House to the:

   1. (A) Arkansas Pioneers Association;
   2. (B) United Spanish War Veterans Auxiliary, Department of Arkansas;
   3. (C) Arkansas Federation of Women’s Clubs;
   4. (D) Arkansas Society, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution;
   5. (E) Arkansas Division, United Daughters of the Confederacy; and
   6. (F) Arkansas Society, United States Daughters of 1812.
10. (2) To affirm and preserve their unique and mutually beneficial partnerships, the commission and each of the six (6) organizations designated above will periodically negotiate, sign, and review agreements governing their continued working relationships.