01Official sources first
Museum and association websites are the primary source for names, locations, links and status. Public agency data and reputable directories are secondary, and every stored field records where it came from and when it was checked.
02Nothing is invented
We do not generate hours, admission prices, membership benefits, accreditation, official designations, partnerships or association relationships. If we cannot trace it, the profile leaves it blank and points visitors to the museum's own site.
03Imports land in staging
All bulk data enters a staging area with row-level review. Nothing reaches a public profile without a human decision, so an import can never quietly overwrite the live registry.
04Museum-managed data wins
When a museum or association manages its profile, its values take precedence over imported values. Conflicts are recorded rather than silently resolved, and verified fields are never overwritten by an import.
05Duplicates are prevented, not merged blindly
Incoming records are compared on normalized name, official domain and geographic proximity. Likely matches become duplicate candidates for review instead of new records.
06Parents and properties stay distinct
A historical society and each of the houses it operates are separate profiles, linked as parent and property, so counts and visits stay accurate.
07Relationships are described literally
Membership, accreditation, directory inclusion and being in the same state are different facts and are labelled as such. Collaboration with Museum Passport is shown only when both parties confirm it.
08Imagery and identity are respected
We do not reproduce logos or copyrighted imagery without permission. Profiles default to neutral, brand-safe presentation.
09Free to participate, always
Claiming, managing and correcting a museum or association profile costs nothing, and no status can be purchased.