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Visitor Rules & Restrictions

Visitors For Free Public Garden Hours

The Inn and the gardens are private property, not a public park. Please respect the gardens and their historic integrity. The gardens are open to visitors only during public visiting hours. Trespassers may be prosecuted. 

There is no public restroom available during public visiting hours. 

There is no smoking or food/drinks allowed in the gardens. Any trash must be placed in the trash container near the Fifth Street gate.

No one is permitted to climb on the walls, in the fountains, or on the elephant. We are not responsible for injury to yourself or others through inappropriate behavior. Anyone being destructive or endangering the property, themselves or other visitors will be required to leave. 

Picking flowers, herbs and climbing trees or wading through flower beds or hedges is not permitted. Please stay on the walks or on the grass. 

Tossing coins and other items into the fountains is strictly prohibited. 

Pets are permitted in the gardens, but must be held or on a leash. Any poop must be bagged and carried out by the owner. 

There are stairs throughout the garden areas and wheelchair accessibility is limited. If you have questions about accessibility, please contact us at

812-376-3663. 

Artists are encouraged to paint or draw the gardens, however if you are using mediums that may stain or damage our historic brick or limestone please come prepared with a plastic drop cloth. If you have any questions about using your art supplies in the garden, please give us a call at 812-376-3663.  

FOR THOSE TAKING PHOTOS OR VIDEO:

You are welcome to take photos and video during the public hours. You are not permitted to cordon off areas for your personal use, create obstacles or tripping hazards by stretching cords or setting up equipment over walkways.

 

You may not bring glitter, confetti or flower petals to use for special effects during photo sessions.

 

You may not create disturbances or ask other visitors to vacate benches or areas of the gardens so you may use them to take photos. If you wish to use them, please wait your turn to enjoy them. Private photos sessions in the gardens can be booked for $100 per hour. Please contact our Innkeeper to book a private photo session. 

If you have any questions about what you may or may not during your photo session, please contact us at 812-376-3663, or ask the staff member on hand during the visiting hours. Asking forgiveness instead of permission may result in your party being asked to leave the property. 

Visitors for the House & Garden Tour

The entrance for the House & Garden Tour is the main front door on Fifth Street. The front door will be unlocked 15 minutes before the tour departs for guests to begin arriving. If you arrive earlier than 15 minutes before the tour, we encourage you to spend some time visiting the Columbus Area Visitors Center next door until the doors are opened. 

You are welcome to take photos and video during the tour, but indoors, photos must be taken without a flash. Cameras must be hand-held, tripods are not permitted. 

This tour is not recommended for children under the age of 10. Strollers are not permitted on the tour, they must be left in the foyer area. 

There are stairs throughout the garden areas and up to the house and terrace. Wheelchair accessibility is limited. If you have questions about accessibility, please contact us at 812-376-3663. 

There is a first floor restroom available during the guided tours. 

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